Aaron Nola shut down for two-weeks with stress reaction in right rib
Apr 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) throws the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
After undergoing an MRI on Monday, it was revealed that the cause of Aaron Nola‘s right side stiffness was a stress reaction in his rib.
Rob Thomson told the media on Tuesday that the 32-year-old will not throw at all for two weeks and will then need to ramp back up once he is cleared. Nola will miss at least another month, and with the All-Star break about six weeks away, it is safe to say he likely will not return until after the break.
Nola was initially placed on the 10-day injured list back on May 16 with a right ankle sprain, and he was scheduled to throw live batting practice on June 5, but that was called off after he felt stiffness on his right side. Now, we know the origin of the stiffness.
It has not been a good start to Nola’s 2025 season. The right-hander is 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA in nine starts. However, when you have thrown 1621.1 innings in the previous nine seasons, it takes a toll on you. Nola is feeling it here in year 10.
Luckily for the Phillies, Mick Abel has been a saving grace. In his two starts and 11.1 innings, he is 1-0 while allowing just one run while striking out 11 and walking none. Abel had gone 11 innings without giving up a run in his major league career, and is the only MLB pitcher in the modern era to pitch at least 5.0 innings with no walks and no more than one run allowed in each of his first two career appearances.
Abel had gone from a treat for the Phils in their rotation and a possible trade deadline move to now an extremely important piece in their starting rotation for the next month, if not more.
Abel is starting his third game for the Phils against the Cubs on Tuesday night. Here is the Phillies’ lineup, which features Trea Turner at leadoff against right-hander Colin Rea, with Bryson Stott being bumped down.
- Trea Turner SS
- Kyle Schwarber DH
- Alec Bohm 1B
- Nick Castellanos RF
- Bryson Stott 2B
- J.T. Realmuto C
- Max Kepler LF
- Otto Kemp 3B
- Brandon Marsh CF
Thomson also revealed pregame that Bryce Harper is “status que.” He is going through treatments and “feels a little bit better.”
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Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin is an aspiring sportscaster and journalist and has been covering Philly sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, editor, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM and the lead broadcaster for Pennsbury Athletics. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio.
