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Aaron Nola Shut Down “at Least Two Weeks” from Throwing
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
Aaron Nola hasn’t pitched since May 14th and the Phillies may not see him back on the mound until after the All-Star Break.
An MRI that Nola received on Monday afternoon revealed a stress reaction in his right rib cage. Thomson said that Nola won’t throw a baseball for “at least two weeks.”
“Noles had an MRI (Monday) night, he’s got a stress reaction in his right rib cage. He’s no-throw for 2 weeks… I don’t have a date of return, all I know is that he won’t play catch for at least two weeks.”
The Phillies’ most durable arm for the last 10 years is going through the first true setback of his entire career. Nola was dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered in pregame warmups in Tampa Bay back in May. He tried to pitch through it in Cleveland and allowed four earned runs in five innings. While continuing to pitch through the pain, he suffered the worst outing of his career at Citizens Bank Park on May 14th, and hasn’t thrown a game since.
The stress reaction happened some point this season. The Phillies, Rob Thomson, and Nola can’t point to an exact date when it happened, but it hasn’t gotten better.
Two weeks until just playing catch takes you to the end of June. Nola will then need to throw on flat ground. Long toss, throw a bullpen or two, face hitters in a live BP, make a rehab start or two, and then return. It’s unlikely the Phillies see him back on the mound before the All-Star Break.
Luckily, Mick Abel has filled in nicely through the first two starts of his major league career. But a spot start a few weeks ago has now turned into a half a season of starts for Abel, barring anything crazy.
Thomson also gave a small update on Bryce Harper, calling him “status quo” and saying he feels a little bit better.
It’s an unfortunate break for Nola. He prides himself on his availability and going to battle for his team every five days. He’s been the most available pitcher in baseball over the last 8 years. The Phillies will now be without their veteran arm for at least another month.
“He’s a competitor,” said Thomson. “He wants to play, he wants to pitch, and he wants to help us win.“
Luke Arcaini writes about the Phillies for Crossing Broad, covers the Phillies for FOX Sports The Gambler, and co-hosts "Phillies Digest" on YouTube. The wave is the worst thing in all of sports. Contact: lukearcaini8@gmail.com