Kyle Gibson’s vaccination status played into Phillies’ decision to shuffle starting rotation

ST. LOUIS — Before last weekend, Kyle Gibson hadn’t given up four home runs in a start, let alone to four consecutive batters. It made sense, then, for the Phillies to give him an extra day between starts to regroup.

But Gibson’s vaccination status also played into the decision.

Gibson revealed Saturday that he’s unvaccinated against COVID-19, citing medicine that he takes for ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel condition. But Canadian regulations prohibit unvaccinated people from entering the country, and Gibson had been lined up to pitch Wednesday night in Toronto.

“The medicines I take don’t let me build up antibodies,” Gibson said after shutting out the St. Louis Cardinals for seven innings in a 2-0 victory, “so I don’t have a vaccination.”

In response to Gibson’s comments, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation said it supports and encourages patients with inflammatory bowel disease to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

By flip-flopping Gibson and Zack Wheeler in the rotation, the Phillies lined up Wheeler to start against the Blue Jays and Gibson next Friday night in Miami.

But Gibson also used the extra day to throw an additional bullpen session. He made adjustments to his tempo and his delivery. And he bounced back from back-to-back poor starts, including the four-homer nightmare against the Cardinals on July 2 at Citizens Bank Park.

Gibson was sensational this time around against St. Louis. He gave up two hits, didn’t walk a batter, and didn’t allow a runner to advance beyond second base. The four batters who took him deep in his last start — Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez, and Dylan Carlson — went 0-for-12 against him.

“It was probably as much work as I’ve done in between starts in a long time,” Gibson said. “I think I touched the mound three times and worked on a lot of stuff. Any time you can get an extra day, especially when you’re struggling, it helps a little bit.”

Depending on the outcome of a bullpen session Sunday, there’s an “outside chance,” according to interim manager Rob Thomson, that lefty Ranger Suárez could pitch July 16 in Miami, two weeks after going on the injured list with back spasm.

The Phillies intend to be more deliberate with Zach Eflin’s timeline.

Eflin also will throw in the bullpen Sunday, his most rigorous activity since a June 29 cortisone shot in his surgically repaired right knee. But even if he isn’t bothered by the bruise that has pained him since early June, he won’t pitch before the All-Star break.

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“We’re going to hold him off,” Thomson said. “We’re going to be patient, knock this thing out completely, and get him back. I, personally, would like to see him see some hitters. He hasn’t been out all that long, but I’d like to see him see some hitters before he gets in a game for us.”

The Phillies could arrange the rotation however they choose after the All-Star break. But if Eflin will make at least one start in the minor leagues, it could mean they open the second half with Cristopher Sánchez or Bailey Falter in the rotation.

Falter took Eflin’s place and posted a 5.63 ERA in two spot starts. The Phillies optioned him to triple-A Lehigh Valley after Thursday’s game to add an extra reliever to the roster.

Sánchez has been filling in for Suárez. In his third career major league start, he blanked the Washington Nationals (without Juan Soto or Nelson Cruz in the lineup) for five innings last Tuesday night.

“The level of comfort that I have here and my self-confidence is incredible,” Sánchez said through a team translator. “I believe in myself.”

But starting pitching depth isn’t the Phillies’ strength. They could look to acquire a starter before the Aug. 2 trade deadline, although it’s shaping up to be a seller’s market. And several potentially available pitchers are sidelined with injuries, including Oakland’s Frankie Montas and Cincinnati’s Tyler Mahle.

It’s possible that Sánchez stays in the rotation through the break. He would start against Miami if Suárez needs more time.

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After a minor league rehab appearance Thursday, reliever Connor Brogdon felt “a little tightness in his forearm,” Thomson said.

The Phillies pushed back his next outing until Sunday for Lehigh Valley. He will pitch again in triple A Tuesday or Wednesday before possibly rejoining the Phillies next weekend in Miami.

Brogdon missed nearly two weeks after being sick with COVID-19.

Utility infielder Johan Camargo (right knee strain) could rejoin the Phillies on Tuesday in Toronto after playing back-to-back games this weekend in triple A. ... Right-hander Nick Nelson (3-1, 4.17 ERA) will be an opener Sunday for the Phillies, who want him to face righty-swinging Cardinals sluggers Paul Goldschmidt and Arenado in the first inning. Right-hander Andre Pallante (2-4, 3.03 ERA) will start for St. Louis.