ALLENTOWN, PA — The first inning was turbulent for Aaron Nola on Wednesday night at Coca-Cola Park. Symbolic to how his 2025 season has gone dealing with his early season struggles and injuries. But as his night continued, the right-hander got stronger, a trajectory Nola and the Phillies hope continues when he rejoins the big-league rotation.
“I felt better this time than last time. The more I threw, each inning felt a little bit better and stuff wise I felt a little more comfortable. Overall, pretty good,” Nola said after his second rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
In his first start as an IronPig since 2017, it was uncertain if the 32-year-old was going to get out of the first inning. After retiring leadoff hitter Jorbit Vivas on his first pitch of the game, Nola surrendered back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases. He limited the damage to just one run on sacrifice fly.
Then Nola dialed it in, setting the RailRiders down in order in the second to start a stretch of retiring eight of his last 10 batters before being taken out of the game after his 69th pitch was hit to left field for a two-out single. Of his 69 pitches. 40 were strikes. He unleashed his signature knee-buckling knuckle curve for all three of his strikeouts allowing just one run across 3 2/3 innings.
“I think the most important part is feeling good and then command. Making sure the ball is coming out good.” Nola said.
The righty’s pitches looked good, but his command was inconsistent at times. His fastball topped out at nearly 93 mph while sitting at 91 mph, right at his season average. Nonetheless, another positive step in the right direction for Nola.
Pain free
Nola initially landed on the IL on May 15 with a sprained right ankle after going 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA in his first nine starts of the season. While working his way back from the injury, he felt some soreness in his side which ultimately turned into a stress fracture in his right rib.
Nola said that neither ailment is bothering him now.
“Normal soreness after the first start. We’ll see how tomorrow feels, but it was nice to kind of run and back up some plays. It felt good.”
Nola added: “The ankle kind of eliminated a lot of stuff. I had to compensate a little bit. Wasn’t really able to push off or rotate. Because of that, the rib took a lot of the brunt. I had to take two, two-and-a-half weeks off from throwing and ramp back up. In these starts, I’m trying to get my pitch count back up and get my body back into pitching shape.”
What’s next?
Nola said he will make at least one more start when Lehigh Valley travels to Buffalo next week, making his third rehab start either Tuesday or Wednesday. The goal is for the hurler to increase his pitch count by 15 pitches each start, putting him at a potential 85-90 pitch count in his next outing.
“I’m usually pitching a good bit by now. Hopefully, I have a good start next time out and hopefully the body and everything feels good. Then get back up with the team, pitch game by game and try to win.”
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
