Phillies Ace Aaron Nola Placed on 15-Day IL with Ankle Injury

Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a right ankle sprain, marking the first time in nearly eight years he has been sidelined due to injury. Nola, who has struggled this season with a 1-7 record and a career-worst 6.16 ERA, injured his ankle during a workout rather than in a game, leading Phillies manager Rob Thomson to prioritize his recovery to prevent further complications. His absence disrupts the Phillies' pitching rotation, which had shown signs of improvement, and prompts the team to call up top pitching prospect Mick Abel from Triple-A for his MLB debut, while veteran Taijuan Walker is expected to return to the rotation soon. Nola's recent poor performances, including allowing nine earned runs against the Cardinals, intensified concerns about his health and form. Despite the setback, the Phillies remain optimistic about their rotation depth but acknowledge the unpredictable challenges of the MLB season. This injury comes at a difficult time as the Phillies compete in a tight National League East race and adjust their pitching staff accordingly.