Phillies: Aaron Nola looks good in first rehab start at Triple-A

Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola pitched four innings and gave up just one run with Triple-A Lehigh Valley Wednesday night. He is coming back from a back injury.

The Phillies assigned Aaron Nola to make his first rehab start Wednesday night with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and he looked solid in his first start since going on the disabled list.

Nola went four innings and gave up just one run. He allowed four hits, didn’t walk anyone and struck out three batters. Nola hit 93 miles per hour with his fastball during the start.

Lehigh Valley’s bullpen followed up Nola with seven scoreless innings before Dylan Cozens hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 11th inning. He was 3-for-5 with a double and the home run on the night.

More from Phillies News

• Bryce Harper’s absence should lead to Phillies lineup tinkering
• Pirates’ bizarre Vince Velasquez hype video will make Phillies fans laugh
• Acquiring Brandon Marsh gave the Phillies flexibility
• Former Phillies starter Zach Eflin shares heartwarming goodbye message
• Is Rhys Hoskins the future at first base for the Phillies beyond 2023?

Nola has been on the disabled list since April 20 with a back strain. He was originally expected to miss just one or two starts, but he has long since missed that benchmark. Nola could have come back May 1, but a setback during a simulated game April 28 hurt his recovery time.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Nola will likely need two starts before he comes back to the majors.

That means he will make one more start after this one, either at Lehigh Valley or perhaps one of the other local affiliates like Double-A Reading.

More from That Balls Outta Here

• Prospect Andrew Baker could help Phillies bullpen in 2023
• Bryce Harper’s absence should lead to Phillies lineup tinkering
• Phillies rumors: Club targets Seth Lugo for possible bullpen role
• Pirates’ bizarre Vince Velasquez hype video will make Phillies fans laugh
• Acquiring Brandon Marsh gave the Phillies flexibility

In his first three starts this year, Nola had a 4.50 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and 21.7% strikeout rate. In his last start against the Mets, Nola gave up four runs on seven hits in just five innings.

This is the second season in a row Nola has had to deal with an injury. He missed the last two months of the 2016 season due to a strained elbow. There were concerns about his elbow this season, but that aspect of his body seems to be okay. However, this back injury is the latest on what may become a growing list of injuries.

Next: Jake Thompson optioned to Triple-A

Nick Pivetta is set to make his third start in place of Nola Friday. Through his first two major-league starts, Pivetta has a 5.40 ERA, 11.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and has given up home runs on 30.8% of fly balls. Pivetta will have to face the dangerous Nationals lineup for the second time in a row.