The Philadelphia Phillies are set to welcome back their key pitcher Aaron Nola on Sunday, marking a significant boost to their rotation amid their pursuit to improve in the National League East. Nola will make his first start since May 14 as the Phillies aim to split their four-game series against the Washington Nationals on the road.
Nola, holding a 1-7 record with a 6.16 ERA this season, will be activated from the 60-day injured list after dealing with multiple health setbacks, including a sprained right ankle followed by a stress fracture in his right rib cage. His return is expected to provide much-needed support to a Phillies pitching staff that has recently lost ace Zack Wheeler to the injured list.
Injury Struggles and Recent Rehab Performance
After leaving the team’s rotation in May, Nola faced an extended recovery period but showed encouraging progress recently. His third rehabilitation start at Triple-A Lehigh Valley ended with a dominant outing, where he struck out 11 batters over 5 2/3 scoreless innings in Buffalo, New York. This performance demonstrated Nola’s readiness to handle the demands of major league pitching once again.
Reflecting on his recovery, Nola shared,
“It felt good to get the pitch count up a little bit and get back in the sixth inning,”
and added,
“The arm feels great; the ankle feels good. I’m glad to be able to finally get back on the field and catch and throw normally. I’m just excited to get back on the mound again for these guys and give them a chance to win again.”
—Aaron Nola, Phillies pitcher
Phillies’ Recent Performance and Challenges
The Phillies’ recent form has been inconsistent, managing only one win in their last five games. Saturday’s 2-0 loss to the Nationals highlighted some struggles, as they could not solve rookie pitcher Cade Cavalli. He delivered seven scoreless innings, earning his first career victory, with James Wood’s two-run double providing the decisive offense.
The setback was compounded when the Phillies announced Zack Wheeler’s move to the 15-day injured list due to a blood clot in his right arm, adding uncertainty to the pitching staff. Team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski emphasized the delicate nature of Wheeler’s condition, stating,
“There’s not a lot that we can say on it at this time. It could have been a much more trying situation than it is.”
—Dave Dombrowski, Phillies president of baseball operations
Nola’s Track Record and Upcoming Matchup
Aaron Nola comes off a solid 2023 campaign where he recorded 14 wins, a notable rebound after his breakout 17-win season in 2018. Despite his current 1-7 record, Nola holds a respectable 10-9 mark with a 3.75 ERA in 34 career starts against the Washington Nationals. His last outing against Washington on March 30 saw him give up five runs over 5 1/3 innings, but his experience provides the Phillies with a tactical advantage moving forward.
In addition to Nola’s return, the Phillies may also recall third baseman Alec Bohm from Lehigh Valley as he recovers from a rib fracture sustained in mid-July, which would add depth to the lineup.
Opposing Pitcher and Series Context
Washington Nationals’ left-hander Mitchell Parker is slated to start against Nola on Sunday. Parker, at 25 years old, had the upper hand in their previous match on March 30, delivering seven scoreless innings and securing the win. Despite his mixed performances recently, Parker remains the Nationals’ planned starter. He holds a 1-1 record with a high 8.68 ERA in two career outings versus the Phillies and has struggled in his last three starts this month.
Discussing his recent rough outings, Parker admitted,
“It still (stinks). It’s still a loss. I gave up a couple runs and set them in motion to kind of run away with it.”
—Mitchell Parker, Nationals pitcher
What the Return of Nola Means for Phillies’ Playoff Hopes
The return of Aaron Nola is a critical development for the Phillies as they contend for the NL East title. With Zack Wheeler sidelined indefinitely, Nola’s presence offers stability and veteran leadership to the rotation. His ability to pitch deep into games and limit opposing offenses could be a key factor in the Phillies maintaining momentum in a highly competitive division.
As Philadelphia moves forward, the team will likely monitor the health of both Nola and Wheeler closely, hoping to regain the strength lost to injuries. Meanwhile, the upcoming series against Washington, featuring Nola’s comeback start, will be a telling sign of the Phillies’ resilience and potential to get back on track.