Philadelphia Phillies’ Aaron Nola pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Monday, April 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Aaron Nola pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Monday, April 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
CHICAGO (AP) 鈥 When Aaron Nola is right, he is one of the most dependable pitchers in the National League.
He just hasn’t been right so far this year.
Nola made his sixth start of the season when the Philadelphia Phillies closed out a weekend series against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night at Wrigley Field. The right-hander entered 0-5 with a career-high 6.43 ERA.
The 31-year-old Nola was 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA through five starts in 2024. He finished 14-8 with a 3.57 ERA, helping the Phillies win the NL East.
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Nola is averaging 91.1 mph on his four-seam fastball 鈥 down from 92.5 in 2024 and 92.7 in 2023 鈥 but manager Rob Thomson said Nola has pitched in some tough weather conditions this year.
鈥淓verybody talks about his velocity,鈥 Thomson said. 鈥淚 don’t concern myself really with his velocity, because he can pitch without being 94 if he’s got his command. That’s a thing that I look at. ... When he doesn’t have his command, his Nola-like command, that’s when he gets hurt.鈥
Command has been an issue. Nola issued 11 walks in his first 28 innings, contributing to career-high 1.61 WHIP.
A return to form for Nola could provide a big lift for a Phillies team that has been hampered by a couple of injuries, including in the rotation.
Ranger Su谩rez, who opened the season on the injured list with lower back stiffness, pitched 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday. The left-hander struck out eight and walked two.
Thomson said he wasn’t sure if Su谩rez would need another rehab start.
鈥淲e’ll meet him in Philadelphia either tomorrow or Tuesday,鈥 Thomson said.
While Su谩rez is nearing a return, Thomson said outfielder Brandon Marsh left Lehigh Valley’s game because of a cramp in his right hamstring. The 27-year-old Marsh was placed on the last weekend because of a strained right hamstring.
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Left-hander Cristopher S谩nchez, who left Tuesday’s to the New York Mets because of left forearm tightness, threw a bullpen before the series finale against the Cubs.
鈥淚 haven’t talked to him, but somebody said he felt great,鈥 Thomson said. 鈥淲e’ll see. Really tomorrow is the day where you figure out where he’s at.鈥
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