The Philadelphia Phillies received a concerning update as veteran pitcher was unable to complete his scheduled bullpen session due to lingering soreness in his sprained right ankle. Top star, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 16, suffered the injury during agility drills in Tampa. Since then, his recovery has been slower than expected, raising alarms for a Phillies rotation already dealing with depth challenges. He admitted that the pain had led him to compensate in other areas physically, likely contributing to his recent struggles on the mound.
Before landing on the IL, the 31-year-old right-hander endured a disastrous outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, surrendering 12 hits, nine runs, and three home runs — all career highs — in just one start. That performance capped off what has been a rough start to the 2025 season for top star, who currently holds a 1-7 record with a bloated 6.16 ERA across nine starts. It’s a sharp contrast to the consistency he’s shown throughout his 11-year career in Philadelphia, where he’s tallied a 105-86 record with a 3.78 ERA. Now, the Phillies must determine how long they can afford to wait for their ace to regain form.
Injuries, unfortunately, are stacking up for the red-hot Phillies. Alongside Nola’s continued absence, infielder Edmundo Sosa was held out of Saturday’s win over the Athletics due to left wrist discomfort. The issue arose during a groundout in the ninth inning of Friday’s 4-3 victory. While the team has indicated it’s a minor setback, Sosa’s bat has been a welcome surprise this season, as he’s currently slashing .354 with one home run and 12 RBIs. He’s expected to return to the lineup on May 27 after the road trip concludes.
Despite the injury setbacks, the Phillies continue to roll with confidence, riding an MLB-best win streak and showcasing depth across the roster. But the questions surrounding Nola’s health and performance loom large. With postseason ambitions in full view, Philadelphia’s front office may soon be forced to consider reinforcements if their longtime ace can’t return to full strength. Until then, all eyes will remain on the bullpen—and the trainer’s room.