The Philadelphia Phillies are enjoying a strong season, but that momentum could be at risk due to an injury to one of their key players. Pitcher Aaron Nola is dealing with soreness in his sprained right ankle and skipped a scheduled bullpen session as a result, according to ESPN.
Nola was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 16 due to the ankle issue. His performance this year has been underwhelming. Prior to landing on the IL, he had a rough outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, giving up 12 hits, nine runs, and three home runs—all career highs.
So far this season, Nola has a 1-7 record with a 6.16 ERA over nine starts. Over his 11-year career with the Phillies, he has compiled a 105-86 record and a 3.78 ERA.
The injury occurred during an outfield agility drill in Tampa. Nola admitted the discomfort was affecting his entire body, as he was overcompensating for the ankle pain.
“Obviously, I never want to go on the IL,” Nola said. “As a competitor, I’m here to pitch. I’ve pitched through things before, and minor issues usually don’t bother me. I expected this to improve by now, but it really hasn’t. It’s frustrating.”
In response to Nola’s injury, the Phillies have called up right-handed pitcher Daniel Robert from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Robert was acquired in a trade with the Texas Rangers on April 30.
Meanwhile, infielder Edmundo Sosa was recently held out of the lineup for Philadelphia’s May 24 game against the Athletics due to discomfort in his left wrist.
Despite these setbacks, the Phillies still appear to have a roster capable of competing. If Nola can bounce back to his usual form, the team should remain a strong contender in the NL East. For now, though, they’ll have to push forward without one of their key arms.