WASHINGTON — Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that he will utilize a six-man rotation beginning this weekend when Aaron Nola returns from the injured list.
Nola is lined up for the series finale Sunday at Washington. The 32-year-old right-hander is coming back from a cracked rib and a right ankle sprain.
Left-hander Ranger Suárez is set to take the mound on Monday at home against the Seattle Mariners. He has strugled in recent outings after an impressive first half of the season.The NL East leaders also have ace right-hander Zack Wheeler, lefties Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo, and right-hander Taijuan Walker.
Thomson said he isn’t sure how long he is going to use the six-man rotation.
“Once for sure, and then we’ve got some other ideas how to attack this thing as we move forward,” he said.
Phillies starters lead the majors with 687 1/3 innings pitched. Sánchez is up to 150 2/3 innings, and Wheeler is at 144 2/3.
“Just getting some of these guys some extra rest cause we’ve been grinding on them pretty hard all year,” Thomson said before the opener of a four-game set against the Nationals. “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.”
Nola hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 14. He posted a 2.19 ERA in three rehab starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley while striking out 17 batters in 12 1/3 innings.
Originally Published: August 14, 2025 at 7:53 PM EDT