UPDATE: The Philadelphia Phillies are set to implement a six-man rotation starting this weekend as Aaron Nola makes his highly anticipated return from the injured list. Nola is scheduled to pitch in the series finale against the Washington Nationals on September 24, 2023. This strategic move aims to provide extra rest for the team’s starters as they push toward the postseason.
Manager Rob Thomson confirmed the rotation change during a press conference on Thursday, emphasizing the need to manage pitching workloads effectively. “Just getting some of these guys some extra rest because we’ve been grinding on them pretty hard all year,” Thomson stated ahead of the crucial four-game series opener against Washington.
Nola, who has been sidelined since May 14 due to a right ankle sprain, showcased impressive form during his rehabilitation with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He achieved a stellar 2.19 ERA over three starts, striking out 17 batters in just 12 1/3 innings. His return is a significant boost for the NL East-leading Phillies as they aim to solidify their playoff position.
The six-man rotation will include Nola, ace right-hander Zack Wheeler, lefties Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo, and right-hander Taijuan Walker. Thomson indicated that the duration of this rotation strategy remains uncertain, saying, “Once for sure and then we’ve got some other ideas how to attack this thing as we move forward.”
While the six-man rotation provides necessary rest for the starters, it does come with challenges. Thomson acknowledged, “The one downside to it is you’ve got to take somebody out of your bullpen, so you’re a little short there but we’ll just have to figure it out.”
As the Phillies prepare for this pivotal stretch, fans are eager to see how Nola’s return will impact the team’s performance in the final weeks of the season. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.
