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Phillies: Five Storylines to Watch For Heading into the Upcoming Season

By John Town

Aug 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Phillie Phanatic in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Phillie Phanatic in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) reacts after being hit by a line drive as catcher Cameron Rupp (29) calls for time during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Marlins defeated the Phillies, 3-2 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Is Aaron Nola Healthy?

Phillies fans were devastated to find out that their shining star in the rotation, Aaron Nola, went on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain just hours before he was scheduled to start in early August. The outlook only got worse when Nola was moved to the 60-day disabled list after Dr. James Andrews diagnosed him with “a low-grade sprain of his UCL and a low-grade strain of his flexor pronator tendon,” according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.

To aid his recovery, Nola received a platelet-rich plasma injection. GM Matt Klentak maintained that surgery was not in Nola’s future, and that has rang true so far. Nola underwent a throwing program in Clearwater, and he is expected to be ready for spring training.

However, it is one thing for Nola to complete a throwing program, and another to face live hitters come spring training and the regular season. It will imperative for the team and fans to follow how Nola is feeling after each start in spring training. If he feels any pain at all, it may be force him to undergo Tommy John surgery. He would miss not only all of 2017, but a large chunk of 2018 as well. That would be the last thing the Phillies need as they try to find who will be in their rotation heading towards the future.

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