Now that the trade deadline is in the rearview mirror, we can turn our attention to the final two months of the season and what that entails for the Philadelphia Phillies. The newest Phillies both played a role in Friday's comeback win. New closer Jhoan Duran made an electric first impression, and Harrison Bader contributed to the rally as a pinch hitter.
The Phillies will also be getting some other reinforcements soon for the stretch drive to the playoffs. With veteran starter Aaron Nola and reliever Joe Ross beginning rehab assignments, the pitching staff will be back to full strength in the near future. So let's start there.
Phillies News: Aaron Nola and Joe Ross off to good starts on Triple-A rehab assignments
Nola took the mound for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday for his first rehab start with the IronPigs. Things went well for the right-hander. He cruised through three shutout innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out three on 47 pitches.
3 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, 3 Ks, and 0 runs on 47 pitches for Aaron in his first rehab start!#phillies #ironpigs@GSRN pic.twitter.com/uk2eQIT6wQ
— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) August 1, 2025
After hitting the 15-day injured list mid-May with a sprained right ankle, Nola's stay on the IL got extended when he suffered a rib stress fracture. A mid-August return was expected at that time, and it looks like he's on track to hit that mark. He's lined up for two more rehab starts and could be activated as early as Aug. 15, per MLB.com.
Friday's start was an encouraging step for Nola, who the Phillies will be happy to have back healthy for the final six weeks of the season and the postseason, hopefully. The 32-year-old is usually a steady anchor in the rotation, even though he struggled mightily to begin the year, posting a 1-7 record in nine starts with a 6.16 ERA and 1.51 WHIP.
Ross joined Nola in Lehigh Valley on Friday to begin a rehab assignment and threw an inning out of the IronPigs' bullpen. He tossed a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out two in the appearance.
Ross was placed on the 15-day IL on July 22 (retroactive to July 21) with back spasms and is expected back on Aug. 5 if everything goes well. The 32-year-old right-hander hasn't had the season the Phillies were hoping to get out of the veteran.
Ross hasn't been consistent enough to be a reliable bullpen weapon for Phillies manager Rob Thomson. After a stretch of six scoreless appearances from late April through early May, he hasn't been able to put together more than two clean outings in a row. When he returns to the majors, he'll come back to a 5.28 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 44 1/3 innings.
David Robertson struggles in latest minor league appearance
Another veteran hurler pitched for the IronPigs on Friday, with David Robertson working his way to the big club after signing as a free agent on July 20. Unfortunately, his outing didn't go as well as Nola's and Ross'.
The 40-year-old right-hander gave up three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two in one inning of work. He needed 30 pitches to get through the frame; 17 were strikes. It was his third relief appearance with the IronPigs and it was the first time allowing runs to cross the plate. He did give up four hits over his first two games, however.
David Robertson today in Lehigh Valley: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 K.https://t.co/5saykVGgSS
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) August 1, 2025
Robertson isn't eligible to be recalled to Philadelphia until Aug. 5 (pitchers have to spend 15 days in the minors after being optioned). The Phillies will hope that he has gotten up to game speed by then and can give them some quality relief innings down the stretch and in October. He posted a 3.00 ERA in 72 innings with the Texas Rangers last season.