Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola is facing a stint on the injured list due to a sprained right ankle, an injury he sustained last week during a pregame agility drill. This marks the first time Nola has had to go on the injured list in nearly eight years, as he has consistently been a workhorse for the team, leading MLB in games started and innings pitched since 2018.
Despite his determination to pitch through the injury, stating, “As a competitor, that’s what I’m here to do,” the Phillies have decided to prioritize his health and place him on the IL, forecasting he will miss at least two weeks. Current statistics show Nola struggling this season with a 6.16 ERA over nine starts, and the adjustment to his pitching mechanics due to the injury has caused added stress on his back and discomfort on the mound.
To fill in for Nola while he recovers, Mick Abel, a promising 23-year-old pitcher, will make his major league debut as a spot starter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Abel has shown strong performance in Triple-A this season, sporting a 2.53 ERA over eight starts. His confidence has grown significantly as he has honed his pitch mix and improved his ability to throw strikes.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed optimism about Abel’s potential, noting his improvements and confidently stating, “He’s missing bats. His walk rate’s down. He’s just a very confident guy right now.” The club was well aware of Nola’s injury prior to Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, leading to scrutiny about why he continued to pitch despite the discomfort.
Compounding the situation, the Phillies lost another prospect, Moisés Chace, to Tommy John surgery, highlighting the need for depth in their rotation. However, the team remains hopeful for Nola’s recovery, with expectations that he could return in early June.
Nola, determined to stay engaged with the team, plans to accompany the Phillies on their upcoming West Coast trip, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining readiness in hopes for a swift recovery. “It’s kind of a freak thing,” he noted. “It sucks, but that’s part of it. Hopefully, it can get better pretty quickly.”
The team and fans alike are looking forward to Nola’s return, bolstered by the positive influx of talent from their farm system with pitchers like Abel stepping up in challenging times.