Gonzalez optioned by Phillies to Triple-A

The Phillies optioned right-handed pitcher Severino Gonzalez to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after Sunday's game.

Gonzalez is 2-2 with an ERA of 8.69 in five MLB starts in 2015. During his start Saturday, Gonzalez threw 2 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits, a walk and two hit batsmen.

His strikeout rate had been steadily increasing over his last two starts with 13 of his 18 strikeouts coming over that span. But his inability to pitch deep into games continued to haunt him. In five starts, Gonzalez never threw more than five innings and threw less than that three times.

A corresponding roster move will be made in the days to come. The Phillies head to Cincinnati on Monday for the start of an eight-game road trip.

Gonzalez will likely head to Durham, NC., to meet up with the IronPigs for the start of their seven-game road trip.