The Philadelphia Phillies are set to welcome Aaron Nola back from injury as he prepares to make his season return on Sunday, August 17, against the Washington Nationals. Nola‘s comeback is highly anticipated, as the veteran right-hander remains a vital part of the Phillies’ pursuit of a World Series championship despite an injury-plagued season.
Nola’s 2024 campaign began with significant struggles, reflected in a 6.16 ERA and a 1-7 record over his first nine starts. Initially sidelined on May 16 with a sprained right ankle, his time away extended after a stress fracture in his ribs was discovered. However, during a rehab stint, Nola showed promising signs by posting a 2.19 ERA across three starts, striking out 17 batters while issuing only three walks in 12 1/3 innings.
Phillies Implement Six-Man Rotation with Nola’s Return
Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports that the Phillies will activate Nola off the 60-day injured list for their series finale on Sunday. With his return, Philadelphia is shifting to a six-man pitching rotation, a strategy intended to manage workload and help the team’s starters regain peak performance as the playoffs approach.
This adjustment will allow Taijuan Walker to remain part of the starting rotation for the foreseeable future. Walker, whose time with the Phillies has drawn mixed opinions, has improved markedly this year with a 3.31 ERA over 14 starts, proving to be a reliable presence despite occasional bullpen shifts.
Manager Rob Thomson believes the expanded rotation will benefit a pitching staff bearing significant fatigue. Even key contributors like Zack Wheeler have shown signs of wear during the summer, and combined with inconsistent outings from pitchers such as Ranger Suarez, Jesus Luzardo, and Cristopher Sanchez, the extra rest should boost overall effectiveness.
Workload Management Could Influence Phillies’ Playoff Readiness
The Phillies’ decision to increase their rotation depth reflects their intent to protect arms and preserve stamina for the critical postseason stretch. With starting pitchers accumulating considerable innings during the long season, spacing out appearances is seen as a means to mitigate injury risks and maintain competitive edge.
Given that Nola has historically been a workhorse for the team, his cautious reintegration highlights the balance between health protocols and the Phillies’ championship ambitions. The team hopes that the added rest and Nola’s return will collectively restore their starting staff’s dominance as the playoff race intensifies.