Aaron Nola will remain on the injured list. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
Aaron Nola won't be returning to the mound at Citizens Bank Park in the near future.
Prior to Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs, Phillies manager Rob Thomson revealed that an MRI on the right side discomfort that Nola began to experience last week in Toronto showed a stress reaction in his right ribcage.
Does that mean that the Phillies no longer believe the discomfort was from Nola coughing so much when he experienced flu-like symptoms?
"Have no idea," Thomson admitted. "Because he doesn't really remember the moment that it happened. I think he just woke up one day and it was sore. So the MRI confirmed it."
Nola — who initially went on the injured list with a right ankle sprain on May 16 — will be shut down from throwing for two weeks. Even if all goes well over the next two weeks and the reaction heals, Nola will then have to build back up and likely make multiple rehab outings before rejoining the Phillies. When you start to map things out, late-July or early-August feels like a best-case scenario for when the former All-Star could be back in red pinstripes.
"Yeah, I don't have a date of return, but I know he's not even gonna play catch for two weeks," Thomson said.
You can look at this one of two ways. The first is that perhaps Nola wasn't at 100% at any point this season, and that explains his 6.16 ERA in nine starts this year. The second is that while Nola has been this era's most durable pitcher, years of throwing 200-ish innings have finally caught up to him and his body is breaking down. Obviously, the latter would be very concerning considering Nola is in only the second season of a seven-year/$172 million deal.
In other Phillies injury news, Thomson says things remain status quo with Bryce Harper (right wrist inflammation). He feels a bit better, but is still only getting treatment, which Thomson noted has not included any painkilling injections.
Sunday morning reading 📖
Justin Crawford is a polarizing prospect, but the Phillies remain excited about former first-rounder
onpattison.com/news/2025/ma...
— Tim Kelly (@timkellysports.bsky.social) May 18, 2025 at 10:53 AM
[image or embed]
Top prospect Justin Crawford has also been out of action for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in recent days because of what Thomson said is "a very, very mild" injury to his right quad. The 21-year-old will do "all pregame activity" Tuesday, and Thomson said "it won't be long" before Crawford returns to the lineup for the IronPigs.
