Velasquez, agents have discussed innings limit

Vincent Velasquez is considering cutting his season short for his own benefit.

The Philadelphia Phillies right-hander, who's scheduled to return from the disabled list Monday, said he and agent Scott Boras have discussed a self-imposed innings limit for the season.

"The agents and I discussed it a little bit, but I don't know the definite answer, an exact amount of innings," Velasquez told Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. "I don't know, I'd want to say roughly like maybe 150 or something, maybe 160 tops.

"If there was a possible chance of being in a playoff run or something, I would love to help the guys out in relief because I've done that in the past."

Innings limits have become commonplace for young pitchers; clients of Boras in particular have made use of the tactic early in their careers, including young stars Matt Harvey, Stephen Strasburg, and Jose Fernandez.

For Velasquez, a talented arm who was acquired by Philadelphia from the Astros for closer Ken Giles in the winter, the timing of this revelation can't be a surprise. The 24-year-old has been electric when healthy - he's averaging 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings and owns a 3.65 ERA over 12 starts - but hasn't pitched since June 8, when he was placed on the DL with a strained right biceps.

Velasquez's camp isn't alone in wanting an innings limit, as the Phillies have already had similar thoughts about protecting his arm during this rebuilding period.

"I know it's obviously on our radar as well," Phillies president Andy MacPhail said. "I would say, philosophically, we're probably in the same ballpark."

Until Velasquez and the team reach a firm innings number, though, he's ready to come to the ballpark every five days and take the mound looking for another win.

"All I know is I'm just going to keep pitching until they tell me to stop," Velasquez said.