The Phillies announced Monday that Velasquez will open the season as the fifth starter, CSN Philadelphia reports.
Velasquez and his primary competitor, Adam Morgan, both threw the ball well this spring, but manager Pete Mackanin decided to give Velasquez an immediate chance to show what he can do with the team that acquired him over the offseason. Velasquez got his feet wet in the big leagues last season with the Astros and showed some potential in the strikeout category, punching out 58 batters over 55.2 innings.