The Philadelphia Phillies have made some rotation changes ahead amid their series with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Franchise ace Zack Wheeler was scheduled to open the series in Canada but stayed back as he awaits the birth of his child. And the team recalled Triple-A pitcher Mick Abel to join the big-league staff as a replacement.
Meanwhile, the Phillies have been waiting for Aaron Nola to progress through his recovery after he was placed on the 15-day injured list with an ankle problem. Unfortunately, in the latest update on Nola, the team announced a setback in that recovery via manager Rob Thomson.
“Aaron Nola’s absence is going to be a bit longer,” The Athletic’s Matt Gelb reported on X. “He felt some soreness in his right side. ‘Very mild,’ Rob Thomson said. He will not throw his live (batting practice) on Thursday. They’ll wait a few days.”
Nola has been one of baseball’s most resilient pitchers in recent years but he started this season with some concerning command issues and the team has said the ankle injury was contributing to poor mechanics. Luckily, the Phillies have a particularly strong starting rotation and can afford to be patient with Nola’s recovery, even with Wheeler out.
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In addition to Abel, the team has Ranger Suarez, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo as starting options, with Taijuan Walker recently taking on a bullpen role. Still, the Phillies will be hoping that Nola can get over his injury and rediscover his best form as the team looks to make a playoff push after the All-Star break.
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