Phillies notes: Some things to be excited about as Yankees take on Phillies originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
NEW YORK – We have all become accustomed to the monotone approach Phillies manager Rob Thomson takes when talking about his team. Try to figure out whether his team won a great game or lost an excruciating one, his demeanor certainly won’t be a hint as to which it was.
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When the subject of pitcher Aaron Nola and his current rehabilitation comes up, however, there is a bit – just a bit – of excitement that seems to invade the inflection of his voice. Friday before the Phillies took on the New York Yankees, Nola pitched a bullpen session that, by all accounts, have him right where the team wants him to be as he makes his way back from a right ankle sprain and a stress fracture in his right rib cage that has had him sidelined since May 14.
“Great,” Thomson said of Nola’s session at Yankee Stadium. “Three ups, 56 pitches and his command was excellent. To me it looks like he’s ready for an assignment.”
Though the rotation seems a bit crowded with the possibility of Mick Abel coming back up and after Andrew Painter threw a very good game Thursday at Lehigh Valley where he allowed just one hit and two earned runs in six innings. But Thomson is quick to point out that Nola could be a huge benefit going down the stretch.
“When he’s on he’s one of the best pitchers in the game. That’s what you want,” Thomson said.
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“No pain in the ankle or rib,” Nola said. “Everything felt normal and I think I’m ready to go out and pitch at Lehigh in game situation.
I’m trying to sharpen the delivery still and keep that sharp and keep my pitches sharp, focus on the command on all of them. First inning felt so-so today and once I started throwing more and got stretched, I felt a lot better.
“I want to get back for sure,” he said. “It’s tough not pitching. It’s been a little while. It’s what I’m used to doing and going out there every five days and taking the ball for this team. Not being able to do it for this long has been tough. But I’ve learned some things during this rehab process . I’ve tried to educate myself as much as I can on the injuries I’ve had. I’m trying to keep my body strong from here on out. I’m excited to go to Lehigh and pitch a couple games and finally get in game situations.”
Thomson wasn’t sure if Nola will throw another bullpen before pitching for Lehigh. No matter, the plan is pretty laid out. “I’d like to see him get to at least 90 pitches,” Thomson said. “So the first time out will probably be the same as it was today, 55 to 60 pitches. And then we’ll graduate him 15 pitches per outing to get him to 90. Whatever that math is.”
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Daddy done good
With barely any sleep, an addition to the family (newborn son) and long batting slump hanging on his shoulders, second baseman Bryson Stott had a lot going on Wednesday when the team took on the Boston Red Sox.
He responded, in a big way, by going 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. He also scored a pair. While daddy power was a subject with Stott, there are also some more technical things going on with his swing that may be turning his slump around.
“We had him so early and all the tests and everything we’re done, like, by 8, 8:30. We were kind of just sitting around,” said Stott of the birth of his second child. “My daughter was home with my mom and sister. She said ‘we’re just going to be sitting here so maybe you should go. I’ll be fine.’ I said ‘are you sure?’ It was all good. Had the baby around 3:40ish, probably was up till around five or so and got up around eight. I took some naps throughout the day. Felt good, good enough to go. A lot of new adrenaline with a new baby. The tiredness didn’t really hit me till the off day.
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“Looking back at 2023 and the beginning of 2024, just kind of where my hands were. Trying to get back to, kind of that feeling. I think just the majority of it is timing. I was super early or super late and when you’re too early you fly out to left and when you’re too late you might ground out to short or line out. Just trying to find that balance of just being on time. That fixes a lot of things throughout your swing. I felt on time the last couple days.”
Stott had been just six for his last 45 heading into Wednesday. Maybe that little, loud thing in his house is just as important as where and how his hands are.
“The last couple of days his swings have looked a lot better,” said Thomson. “He’s sort of simplified the move. He knows where that barrel’s at. It’s a lot better. He had a lot of waggle in his hands before he made his initial move to get loaded and really was losing his barrel, didn’t know where it was. Now he’s just kind of sitting it on his shoulder and taking it out and it gets going and it’s really simplified his swing.”