May 3, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
For a team with great starting pitching depth, there's a lot of uncertainty around the No. 5 spot in the rotation right now.
With Mick Abel being sent back down and Andrew Painter not yet ready, the team is turning to Taijuan Walker - again - to start a game on Tuesday.
Will it be one game? Multiple games? No one knows right now, as they won't need to go five starters deep in the rotation again until July 22.
The Phillies are hoping they can get by until Aaron Nola returns from his stress fracture in his rib.
Nola threw on the field between games of the doubleheader on Wednesday. He threw a "Williamsport" on Friday morning.
A "Williamsport" is when a pitcher throws from the mound, but the catcher moves closer tot he mound - at a Little League distance, thus the name.
Nola is scheduled to throw a real bullpen session on Sunday.
From there, he will fly to Clearwater to keep building back up during the All-Star break.
"He's going to need probably two more bullpens before throwing a (live) batting practice," Thomson said. "He'll have to do a few B.P.'s before throwing in a game.
Nola is expected to return from Clearwater once the Phillies come back from the All Star break.
Nola told On Pattison last month that he expects he will need a couple rehab starts as well. Mapping out that calendar, he's looking to be on pace for a mid-August return.
That means the Phillies would likely need to fill about four post-All-Star break starts before Nola is ready.
