Last summer the Phillies acquired Moises Chace as part of a package of players in exchange for Gregory Soto. Chace had what scouts describe as “an electric arm” and was a high velocity pitcher. This season, Chace just was not quite the same guy. His velocity had dropped and not just by a little. Yesterday the Phillies discovered the reason for the velocity drop; the ulnar collateral ligament in Chace’s elbow was starting to give way and completely gave out in the second inning of the right-hander’s most recent start.

The injury will lead to Chace having Tommy John surgery, which will mean at least a full year of rehab to work his way back. Chace, who turns 22 on June 9, has gone to Florida where it is presumed the surgery will take place and he will rehab with Phillies staff in Clearwater.

“At the end of the day, it’s never ideal to get hurt,” Phillies director of player development Luke Murton told reporters after the injury was disclosed, “but at least, for his sake, there’s some answers to why the velocity probably wasn’t what it has been in the past.”

The Phillies acquired Chace along with Seth Johnson from the Orioles last July in exchange for Soto. Johnson was recently moved out of the rotation with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and into the bullpen as they work to convert him to relief work to shore up the major league staff at some point.

Following the trade, Chace made two starts with High-A Jersey Shore (1-1, 4.15) before being bumped up to Double-A Reading. With the Fightins, Chace made four starts and went 2-1, 3.66 to finish the season strong. Even with the drop in velocity, Chace was getting hitters out although his walk percentage had risen and his strikeout percentage had fallen. With Reading this season, the right-hander posted a 3.24 ERA in six starts.

Chace joins a long list of injured players at Reading, including: Griff McGarry (elbow inflammation, 7-Day), Eiberson Castellano (right shoulder strain, 7-Day), Triston Garnett (oblique, 60-Day), Christian McGowan (right shoulder surgery, 60-Day), Wen-Hui Pan (Tommy John surgery, 60-Day), Caleb Ricketts (right metacarpal fracture, 7-Day), Marcus Lee Sang (right ankle dislocation and fracture, 60-Day).