Aaron Nola Delays Throwing Session Due to Right Side Soreness

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola will not participate in a planned live batting session on Thursday, as he is experiencing mild soreness in his right side, according to manager Rob Thomson's announcement on Wednesday.

Last week, Nola expressed concerns about his recovery from a sprained right ankle, indicating that the process was slower than anticipated. He mentioned the likelihood of needing a minor league rehabilitation start before returning to the mound.

Currently, Nola's record stands at 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA across nine starts this season. As of now, no date has been established for his next throwing session.

The Phillies placed Nola on the 15-day injured list on May 16 to prevent further complications while he compensated for the ankle injury. In a challenging outing on May 14 against St. Louis, he allowed a career-high 12 hits and nine runs, including three home runs, contributing to a 14-7 defeat.

Nola sustained his injury on May 8 during pregame agility drills while the team faced the Rays at Steinbrenner Field. He signed a substantial seven-year contract worth $172 million ahead of the 2024 season.

Over his 11 seasons with the Phillies, Nola has achieved a record of 105-86 with a 3.78 ERA. Known for his durability, he had not missed a start since 2017, aside from a brief 10-day absence due to COVID-19 in 2021.

In a related move before Wednesday's game against Toronto, the Phillies recalled right-hander Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and placed Zack Wheeler on the paternity list. Abel was slated to start against the Blue Jays.