The Philadelphia Phillies have proven to be one of the best teams in this year's Major League Baseball (MLB) and the foundation has been built on a strong pitching staff despite missing their star player Aaron Nola due to an injury.
Philadelphia Phillies President provides latest health update on Aaron Nola
The Phillies had put Nola on a 15-day injured list on May 16 as he was suffering from a sprain in his right ankle. The injury was at that time wasn't considered to be as serious with Aaron Nola trying hard to make a return on the mound.
In a recent conversation with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post Sports, Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski spoke on Nola's injury issues and his awful start to the season.
I'll start from the injury factor, he's been a traditionally slow starter. So, out of the gate, he wasn't with the same velocity, a couple of miles an hour dropped, but then he had all of a sudden picked it up, and he had pitched some good games in a row very well. But then, right before his start against Cleveland, in Tampa, the day before he twisted his ankle, they told me about it; they thought, 'Oh, it's not too bad, he'll be fine.'
He wasn't fine and the reality is, it was hurt a little bit worse than what we thought and what Aaron thought too. He's getting better daily. It's not like, it's an imminent return. He could, I think, return on the 30th this Friday. It won't be then, but I don't think he's far behind that, and I do think he'll continue to pitch very well for us.
Dave Dombrowski backs Aaron Nola despite his shaky start to the season
In his last outing before his injury against the St. Louis Cardinals, Nola had one of the worst matches of his career. The 31-year-old struggled with control due to his ankle injury, as he conceded nine runs over 12 hits in a 14-7 thumping.
Despite his woeful start to the season, Dave Dombrowski has full faith in Aaron Nola as he has been with the franchise for 11 seasons.
He'll pitch great for us, I think. And when he gets back, the time has been a little slower as far as his rehab is concerned. He really did more of a touch-and-feel yesterday. We're just making sure he gets through this completely. We don't want him going out there with the sore ankle at all.
With Aaron Nola on the sidelines and struggling for most of the season, Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suarez found a backup player in Jesus Luzardo. He is 5-0 for the season with a commanding 2.15 ERA.