Aaron Nola threw 56 pitches in a simulated game on Friday. And just like that, one of the Phillies’ biggest question marks began inching back toward becoming a potential September weapon.
The setting was Yankee Stadium. The moment felt bigger than just a workout.
“Looked great. Three-ups. Command was excellent,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson, who watched Nola breeze through the session with the sharpness of a pitcher who hadn’t missed a beat.
Next comes a bullpen session. Then a few rehab starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley to build him up. After that? A spot back in the Phillies' rotation — but only once he’s stretched to a full workload.
“First time out will probably be like this — 55 or 60 pitches — and we’ll start graduating from there,” Thomson said. He added that he wants Nola to reach the 90-pitch threshold before he’s activated.
Nola said he felt “great,” reporting no discomfort in his rib cage or right ankle — the latter being the original culprit from May 8 that knocked him off track during pregame agility drills.
“Everything felt normal,” Nola said. “I’m looking forward to getting out there in a real game situation.”
This is year two of a seven-year, $172 million commitment between Nola and the Phillies. And while his numbers — a 1-7 record and 6.16 ERA over nine starts — don’t jump off the page, his track record certainly does. He’s made six straight Opening Day starts and has logged 105 wins with a career 3.78 ERA across 11 seasons in Philadelphia.
If the Phillies are planning to make a run in October, getting Nola right again could be a tipping point.
“When he’s on,” Thomson said, “he’s one of the best pitchers in the game.”
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