Phillies Injury Updates: Aaron Nola dealt with neck issue before start

The Latest Phillies Injury Updates

Aaron Nola made his scheduled start on Saturday, May 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks despite dealing with a neck issue that bothered him while warming up. Nola said the right side of his neck locked up and “wouldn’t pop.” The Phillies and Nola believe that the neck will not be an issue moving forward. Nola’s last non-COVID injured list stint came in 2017.

“Just a little tight with certain movements, but luckily it wasn’t to my left where I have to look toward the plate,” Nola said. “If it was on the left side, it might have been a little bit different, but it was all good.”

• Jose Ruiz (neck spasm)
• Status: 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 1)
• Ruiz, minutes before the start of the May 3 game against the Diamondbacks, was placed on the IL with a neck spasm. The Phillies needed to clear a roster spot for Suárez, so the Phillies get to retain Ruiz — and reliever Carlos Hernandez — for now. — Last updated on May 3 by Destiny Lugardo

• Andrew Painter (Tommy John surgery)
• Status: Will make next start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley
• Top prospect Andrew Painter should be in line to make his big-league debut in “July-ish” as Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski put it this offseason. He hasn’t pitched in a regular season game since injuring his elbow during the spring of 2023, but he should be ready to make an impact once he’s up, even in a limited workload.
• Painter is getting promoted to Triple-A. He will make his next start on May 8 against Worcester. — Last updated on May 3 by Destiny Lugardo