Aaron Nola Nears Return After Rib, Ankle Injuries \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola threw 56 pitches Friday as he works back from ankle and rib injuries. Out since May, he could begin a minor league rehab stint next week. Nola hopes to build back to 90 pitches before returning to MLB action.
Aaron Nola’s road back to the mound has been anything but linearbut the veteran Philadelphia Phillies ace is now eyeing a return with cautious optimism. The 32-year-old right-hander threw 56 pitches to live batters on Fridaya major benchmark in his recovery from two interconnected injuries — a sprained right ankle and a stress fracture in his rib — that have kept him sidelined since mid-May.
For Phillies fans and staff alike, the return of Nola can’t come soon enough. His presence in the rotation has been sorely missed during a competitive stretch where Philadelphia’s pitching depth has been tested. Though Nola was struggling prior to his IL stint, his durability, leadership, and postseason experience make him a central figure in the team’s ambitions for October.
But getting back to form has been a slow and methodical process.
The injury saga began during agility drills on May 8when Nola tweaked his ankle — a seemingly minor issue that turned out to be much more consequential. Though he made two starts following the ankle injury, both were noticeably poor outings. He was eventually placed on the injured list (IL) effective May 15following discussions with the Phillies’ medical staff.
Then came a surprising twist. After throwing a bullpen session on June 1Nola began feeling discomfort in his side. An MRI later revealed a stress fracture in one of his ribswhich the team announced publicly on June 10. Phillies manager Rob Thomson admitted at the time that the development was unexpected but not entirely uncommon — as rib injuries can sometimes occur when athletes alter their biomechanics to compensate for another injury.
That’s precisely what Nola believes happened.
This insight speaks to the delicate chain of physical movements involved in a pitcher’s delivery. A sprained ankle might seem minor, but it can compromise the balance, torque, and mechanics of an entire throwing motion. In Nola’s case, it led to overcompensation — and ultimately, another injury that extended his time away.
After a frustrating start to 2024 — including a 1-7 record and a 6.16 ERA over nine starts — Nola had every reason to feel discouraged. But he instead used the time off to reset both physically and mentally.
Following his diagnosis, Nola spent time rehabbing and reviewing his mechanics with Phillies coaches and trainers. But he also took a short trip to IbizaSpain, for a quick mental escape — something more players are doing in today’s era of high-performance sports psychology.
That mix of rest and preparation seems to have paid off. Nola returned to the mound this week for a live session, and the results were encouraging. He reported no pain in either the ankle or rib and said he felt “in good shape” after the session.
According to Rob Thomson, the Phillies plan to ease Nola back into competition through a staged pitch count progression. His next outing — likely a minor league rehab start next week — will mirror the 56-pitch count he threw Friday.
That goal of reaching 90 pitches is critical. It suggests the team is targeting a full return to the rotation without restrictionspossibly in time for the heart of the late-season playoff push.
Given the Phillies’ current standing in a tight divisional race, getting a healthy Nola back could be the difference between a deep postseason run and an early exit.
What makes this layoff so unusual is that Nola has been remarkably durable throughout his 11-year MLB career. This marks his first stint on the injured list for a physical injury since 2017a rare feat for any starting pitcher in modern baseball.
Over 277 career starts, Nola has compiled a 105-86 record with a 3.78 ERA, consistently giving the Phillies a dependable arm in the front half of the rotation. While 2024 hasn’t been his finest season statistically, it’s worth noting that much of his poor performance likely stemmed from pitching through pain.
In his last 8 2/3 innings before being shut down, Nola allowed 13 earned runs — numbers that drastically inflated his ERA and may have contributed to his drop in national rankings. Yet the underlying data suggests that his mechanics — once fully healthy — still support elite-level pitching.
One of the more enlightening revelations from Nola’s recovery process is just how critical the ankles are to pitching mechanics — a detail even he didn’t fully appreciate.
That acknowledgment reflects a growing trend in MLB where biomechanics and kinesiology are used to prevent injury and enhance performance. Pitching coaches and training staffs now monitor ankle mobility, hip rotation, and shoulder sequencing to ensure athletes are moving efficiently.
For Nola, it’s a reminder that even a small change in his lower half can cascade into major problems in his upper body — a lesson learned the hard way.
The timing of Nola’s return is critical. With the U.S. trade deadline approaching and teams preparing for the final third of the season, the Phillies must decide whether they can rely on their internal arms or seek external help. A healthy Nola provides immediate stability and could shift Philadelphia’s deadline priorities.
Moreover, the stakes are personal. Nola is in the second year of a seven-year, $172 million contract extension he signed in late 2023. With the team invested in him long-term, both sides will be eager to ensure his return is measured, effective, and sustainable.
That combination of veteran confidence and physical caution may be the key to extending his career and helping the Phillies down the stretch.
Aaron Nola’s return is not just a test of his health — it’s a chance to reframe his season, rewrite the narrative, and return to form when it matters most. Few pitchers are as battle-tested, and even fewer have Nola’s track record of consistency and postseason poise.
While it remains to be seen exactly when he’ll rejoin the Phillies rotation, signs point toward a return in the coming weeks. And if his 56-pitch outing on Friday was any indication, Aaron Nola may be ready to remind the baseball world what he’s capable of.
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