Aaron Nola Shut Down from Throwing for Two Weeks Due to Rib Injury
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola has encountered another setback in his return to action. Before Tuesday’s matchup against the Chicago Cubs, Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced that Nola will be sidelined from all throwing activities for the next two weeks due to a stress reaction in his right rib. This condition will prevent Nola from even light workouts like playing catch during that time.
“We don’t have a return date set,” Thomson told reporters. “All I can say right now is he won’t be throwing at all for the next two weeks — not even playing catch.”
Nola, who just celebrated his 32nd birthday last week, has already been on the injured list for nearly a month, originally due to a sprained right ankle. However, what was initially thought to be a straightforward rehab process took a turn for the worse. While working back from the ankle injury, Nola began experiencing soreness in his right side, which the team at first believed to be minor. But further evaluation revealed a more serious issue — a stress reaction in his rib cage — which has now become the primary obstacle in his recovery.
This latest diagnosis sheds light on the persistent discomfort Nola was feeling and suggests the injury is more severe than the team originally assumed. It also means the veteran right-hander will have to put his comeback on hold once again.
The situation has been incredibly frustrating for Nola, Thomson admitted. Known for his durability and consistency, Nola has been a fixture in the Phillies’ rotation for years. In fact, over the last decade, he’s been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in all of Major League Baseball. Prior to this season, Nola rarely missed time and consistently took the mound every fifth day.
“This has been a really tough stretch for him,” Thomson said. “Aaron is a competitor and wants to be out there helping the team. To have one thing after another pop up — it’s just frustrating for everyone, especially him.”
Unfortunately for Nola, this year has been one of the most difficult in his professional career. Even before the injuries took him off the field, his performance on the mound had been far below his usual standards. In his first nine starts of the 2025 season, Nola went just 1-7 with a bloated 6.16 earned run average (ERA) and a 1.51 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched). Those numbers represent some of the worst of his career.
Nola himself acknowledged how rough the beginning of this season has been, calling it the worst start he’s ever had as a professional pitcher. Between the ineffective outings, the ankle injury, and now this newly discovered rib issue, the veteran hurler has had little to celebrate in 2025.
This is a stark contrast from the role Nola has typically played for the Phillies. Since debuting in 2015, he’s been the club’s most consistent and longest-tenured starting pitcher. Known for his work ethic, pinpoint control, and ability to eat innings, Nola has often served as the anchor of Philadelphia’s rotation. His durability, in particular, had been a hallmark of his career — until now.
Unfortunately, this latest injury means Nola’s road back to the mound will be even longer than previously expected. After the two-week shutdown, he’ll likely need additional time to rebuild his arm strength, regain his rhythm, and eventually work through a rehab assignment before returning to game action.
The Phillies, meanwhile, will have to continue to adjust without one of their key starters. With the team fighting to stay competitive in the NL East, Nola’s absence will undoubtedly be felt both on the field and in the clubhouse. Philadelphia has already had to shuffle its rotation due to injuries and inconsistency from other pitchers, and losing a veteran presence like Nola only compounds those challenges.
Despite the frustration, the organization remains hopeful that once the two-week rest period is over, Nola will be on the path toward recovery and able to return to form later in the season. For now, though, it’s a waiting game.
The Phillies are urging caution, knowing that rushing Nola back could result in further injury. A stress reaction, which is a precursor to a full stress fracture, needs to be treated seriously — especially in a pitcher who relies heavily on the torque generated by his core and rib cage during his delivery.
For Aaron Nola, the focus now is on healing fully before even thinking about returning to competitive action. The team will reassess his condition after the two-week mark and determine the next steps based on his recovery progress. Until then, the Phillies — and Nola himself — will have to remain patient.
Leave a Reply