May 19, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA — The Philadelphia Phillies have been dealt another devastating blow in their 2025 campaign. The team announced Monday that veteran starting pitcher has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, a move that raises serious concerns about the stability of the Phillies’ starting rotation moving forward.
Nola, 31, experienced discomfort following his last outing against the Miami Marlins, in which he was pulled after just four innings. While the initial hope was that the issue was minor, further evaluation led team doctors to recommend rest and further treatment.
“Aaron’s a competitor and wanted to pitch through it, but we’re taking the cautious route here,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “We’ll reevaluate him in the coming days, but there’s no firm timetable right now.”
The injury comes at a particularly challenging time for the Phillies, who have already been battling a series of roster setbacks this season. With fellow starter Taijuan Walker also on the IL and the bullpen stretched thin, Nola’s absence could have ripple effects throughout the pitching staff.
Nola, a former All-Star and longtime anchor of the Phillies rotation, had been off to a solid start this season, posting a 3.44 ERA with 52 strikeouts over 60 innings. His consistency and durability have made him one of the few reliable arms for Philadelphia amid an up-and-down season.
In the short term, the Phillies are expected to call up left-hander Kolby Allard from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the rotation spot, but the pressure will be on aces Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suárez to carry an even heavier load.
“It’s tough losing a guy like Aaron,” said catcher J.T. Realmuto. “He’s a leader in that clubhouse and gives us a chance to win every five days. We’ve got to rally as a team.”
The Phillies currently sit in second place in the NL East, trailing the Atlanta Braves by 3.5 games. With the offense clicking but pitching depth now a glaring concern, the front office may be forced to explore trade options sooner than expected if Nola’s injury lingers.
Fans and teammates alike are hoping the stint on the IL is brief and precautionary. For now, though, it’s clear: the Phillies have hit a major speed bump in their pursuit of a postseason run.