Updates on Aaron Nola, Phillies weekend pitching plans

TORONTO – The Phillies will be without Aaron Nola (right ankle sprain) for a little longer than they anticipated. 

Originally slated to throw live batting practice on Thursday in Toronto, Nola is shut down from throwing for the time being. He reported stiffness in his right side on Tuesday. Thomson called the decision to press pause on his return as “precautionary.” 

“Once they clear it out, then we’ll go,” Thomson said. 

The Phillies anticipated that Nola would be back from his original injury, a right ankle sprain suffered while doing agility work during the Tampa series, closer to when his 15-day IL stint was up at the end of May. Once he is eventually back, he’ll likely need more than one minor league rehab assignment to get stretched out.

“We thought we were going to be able to knock it out pretty quickly, but we just couldn’t get there,” Thomson said. 

Nola, who turned 32 today, has not pitched since May 14. Through his first nine starts, he has a 6.16 ERA. The ankle injury doesn’t explain his ineffectiveness in April, but it did impact him during his last two starts. He gave up nine earned runs in the worst start of his career before going on the injured list. 

Nola’s extended absence could mean a longer run for Wednesday’s starter Mick Abel. He is Nola’s placeholder, and while it originally appeared that Abel was only going to get a couple turns out of the Phillies rotation, he could stick in the rotation until Nola comes back if he pitches well. 

Abel has a good foundation to build off of. He threw six shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates in his MLB debut on May 18. The Jays lineup presents a tougher challenge for the 23-year-old.

Update on pitching plans 

Zack Wheeler on Wednesday was placed on the paternity list, with Abel recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley as the corresponding move. 

Wheeler and his wife Dominique are still waiting on baby No. 4. He can miss a maximum of three games on the paternity list. The Phillies are unsure about when he’ll make his next start. The Phillies could have Ranger Suárez pitch on Friday against the Pirates on regular rest. They could do a bullpen game on Saturday if Wheeler is unable to go. 

Taijuan Walker is no longer an option to start. He is now a reliever. He is available out of the bullpen beginning Wednesday night. He could be pushed into high leverage almost immediately. 

“The problem is if you try to ease him in, you might never get there,” Thomson said.