Report: Guardians signing another former Phillies pitcher to minors deal

Kolby Allard isn’t the only former Phillies pitcher heading to the Cleveland Guardians on a minor-league contract.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, right-hander Vince Velasquez has signed a minors deal with Cleveland. The deal is pending a physical. Velasquez will receive an invite to big-league spring training.

Velasquez, acquired before the 2016 season from the Houston Astros in the Ken Giles trade, spent parts of six seasons with the Phillies. He pitched 582 2/3 innings, posting a 4.93 ERA during his time in Philadelphia.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Phillies in Sept. 2021 and released soon after. Since then, he’s spent time with the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Velasquez, 32, last pitched in the majors in 2023 with Pittsburgh. He made eight starts, posting a 3.86 ERA in 37 1/3 innings before an elbow injury shut him down. Velasquez eventually underwent surgery on the UCL in his right elbow, missing the rest of 2023 and all of 2024 as a result.

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