Key facts
- Nola exited Saturday’s start vs. Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning after being hit by a line drive on his right knee.
- Line: 5 IP, 8 K, 6 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks before exiting.
- Initial diagnosis reported as a right knee contusion; he also felt discomfort in his right ankle pushing off during warm-up throws.
- Since the All-Star break, Nola has gone winless with a 4.50 ERA.
- Nola says he plans to make his next start, slated for the Field of Dreams game vs. the Minnesota Twins in Dyersville, Iowa, which would be his 25th start of the season.
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola was struck by a line drive on his right knee during Saturday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays and was pulled in the top of the sixth inning. Initial reports described the injury as a right knee contusion. Despite the scare, Nola said afterward he intends to make his next scheduled start.
What happened in the game
Nola took the mound looking to help Philadelphia even its series with Toronto after the Phillies lost the series opener in extra innings. He turned in one of his stronger outings since the All-Star break, working five innings and striking out eight while allowing six hits, two earned runs and two walks. The night ended early when he was hit by a line drive to the leg in the sixth, prompting the Phillies to remove him from the game.
The injury and Nola’s own account
Nola said the ball hit the inside of his right knee and also affected his ankle, which he said felt fine generally but bothered him when he pushed off it during warm-up throws afterward. He said he is hoping for a good week of recovery and expects the discomfort to subside quickly. He described his plan as still making his next start rather than skipping a turn in the rotation.
Recent form
Nola has not picked up a win since the All-Star break, and over that stretch he has posted a 4.50 ERA. Saturday’s five-inning, eight-strikeout effort against Toronto was characterized as among his better outings in that post-break window, even though the injury cut it short.
What’s next
Nola’s next scheduled start is set for the Field of Dreams game against the Minnesota Twins in Dyersville, Iowa. If he takes the mound as planned, it would mark his 25th start of the season. His availability for that game depends on how his knee and ankle respond in the coming days.
Sources
Featured photo: Ian D’Andrea via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)