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3d ago

Phillies Add Sixth Starter as Aaron Nola Is Set to Return Sunday

Manager Rob Thomson is pursuing a flexible six-man rotation to give overworked starters extra rest through a dense late-season stretch.

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Apr 21, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Aaron Nola will make his first major-league start since May this Sunday against the Nationals after three rehab outings in Triple-A that included an 11-strikeout performance.
  • The rotation for at least one turn will include Nola, Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo and Taijuan Walker as the sixth starter.
  • Thomson said the extra day off is aimed at protecting heavily taxed pitchers whose staff currently leads MLB in innings pitched.
  • To accommodate the added starter, the Phillies will carry as few as seven relievers until José Alvarado rejoins the bullpen Tuesday at the end of his suspension.
  • The club views the six-man plan as temporary as it tests tandem starts or skipped turns during a compressed schedule of 24 games in 25 days.