The Philadelphia Phillies received some unwelcome news on Friday, as ace pitcher Aaron Nola was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right ankle sprain. The move is retroactive to Thursday, meaning Nola will be sidelined for at least two weeks. This comes after a rough outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he allowed nine runs on twelve hits and failed to complete the fourth inning. The Phillies announced that Nola sustained the injury during pre-game agility drills, attempting to pitch through the pain before ultimately requiring a trip to the IL.
Manager Rob Thomson addressed the situation, stating that while Nola’s ankle is showing improvement, the team decided to be proactive and place him on the IL as a precautionary measure. Thomson expressed optimism that Nola’s absence will be limited to the minimum 15-day period. This season has been a struggle for Nola overall, with a disappointing 1-7 record and a 6.16 ERA.
In a corresponding roster move, right-handed pitcher Daniel Robert has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill Nola’s spot. Robert will be tasked with stepping up and providing much-needed support to the Phillies’ pitching staff during Nola’s absence. The team will undoubtedly be hoping for a swift recovery for their star pitcher and a strong performance from his replacement in the meantime. The Phillies’ playoff hopes will certainly be impacted by the length of Nola’s injury, and fans are anxiously awaiting further updates on his condition.
