Phillies righty Aaron Nola is headed to the injured list to cap off a season full of struggles so far.
Nola, 31, was placed on the 15-day IL with a right ankle sprain, the team announced on Friday.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Nola’s injury happened while doing agility work in the outfield before the team’s series against the Guardians earlier this month.
Nola’s stint on the IL will be his first since 2017, where he was sidelined for a month with a strained lower back.
“We thought he could pitch through it, he thought he could pitch through it,” Thomson told reporters on Friday. “It’s getting better but it’s not getting out. So, before it turns into an elbow or a quad or shoulder, it’s best that we shut him down right now.”
“It’s more of a lingering thing,” Thomson added. “We want to make sure that we take care of him now.”
Thomson also said he does not believe that Nola will be away from the team longer than the 15 days scheduled.
Before his injury, Nola has had an abysmal start this year, pitching to a 1-7 record with a career-worst 6.16 ERA through nine starts in 2025.
Nola’s numbers this year are a stark contrast to last season, where he finished with a respectable 14-8 record and a 3.57 ERA though a league-leading 33 starts.
With Nola out for the near future, the Phillies are calling up Mick Abel from Triple-A, where he is expected to make his first against the Pirates on Sunday.
Abel was previously the No. 1-ranked Phillies prospect in 2022, and currently holds a 2.53 ERA through eight starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season.
The 23-year-old will not be in the majors for that long, however, as veteran starting pitcher Taijuan Walker is expected to return to the Phillies next week.