Philadelphia, Pa. — The Phillies have placed right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola on the 15-day injured list due to a sprained right ankle, retroactive to May 15. Daniel Robert has been recalled from the minors to fill Nola’s spot on the roster. Meanwhile, prospect Mick Abel is poised to make his major league debut, slated for a spot start on Sunday before returning to Triple-A.
Nola sustained his ankle injury prior to his recent outing against Cleveland, where he struggled, allowing four earned runs over five innings. His performance worsened in the following game against the Cardinals, where he surrendered nine earned runs in just 3⅔ innings. While the ankle injury may partly explain his decline, Nola’s season had already been rocky, with a 4.61 earned run average (ERA) in his first seven starts.
Despite showing signs of improvement with a stellar outing against the Cubs on April 27, where he pitched seven innings of one-run ball, Nola now finds himself with a troubling 6.16 ERA for the season. His strikeout and walk rates remain relatively solid at 23.6% and 7.3% respectively, and he has a ground ball rate of 44.6%. However, the 11 home runs he has allowed is concerning, contributing significantly to his elevated run totals.
The Phillies have not disclosed how long they anticipate Nola will be sidelined, but it appears he may miss multiple starts. In his absence, Taijuan Walker will step back into the starting rotation after initially being bumped to the bullpen when Ranger Suárez returned from the injured list.
Walker began the season strong, producing a 2.54 ERA through his first six starts. However, he faced two challenging relief appearances, including one where he allowed three earned runs. As he readies to reclaim a rotation spot, Abel’s upcoming debut adds a layer of intrigue.
Abel, a former first-round draft pick, has seen fluctuating prospect status due to inconsistent control. Nevertheless, he is off to a promising start this season, boasting a 2.53 ERA in eight Triple-A starts, with improved strikeout and ground ball rates. His walk rate, while still a concern at 9.9%, shows signs of improvement from previous seasons.
In other team news, the Phillies announced that Moisés Chace will undergo Tommy John surgery, a significant setback for the promising pitcher. Chace, who arrived from the Orioles in a trade involving Gregory Soto, was noted as one of the club’s top prospects. His absence will likely delay his journey to the majors, as he is expected to be rehabbing until the summer of 2026.
Chace, who was ranked among the top 100 prospects by several outlets, had started the season at Double-A and was on track to advance to Triple-A or even the majors by 2025. The Phillies have the option to place him on the major league 60-day injured list, freeing up a 40-man roster spot but also beginning his clock for major league pay and service time.
With these roster changes, the Phillies face a critical juncture in the season as they navigate injuries and seek to maintain competitiveness in the league’s challenging landscape.