Phillies' Aaron Nola staying unvaccinated despite missing start due to COVID-19 protocol

As Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia explained, Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola missed last Sunday's scheduled start at the Boston Red Sox because he was exposed to teammate Alec Bohm, who had tested positive for COVID-19. 

Nola is unvaccinated and was asked if his experience could change his mind on the subject. 

"I don't know," he answered. "It's a personal choice. Not right now. I'll keep it at that." 

Nola added he thinks "it's each guy's choice" whether or not to receive one of the available vaccines. 

Salisbury noted the Phillies are one of seven MLB teams that haven't yet hit the 85% vaccination threshold that allows for the loosening of certain virus-related protocols. Earlier in the day, the MLB website confirmed the Red Sox haven't reached the 85% mark. 

Nola's comments came less than 24 hours after the New York Yankees were unable to host the rival Red Sox because of coronavirus issues. New York's Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr., Wandy Peralta, Aaron Judge, Gio Urshela and Kyle Higashioka are all reportedly positive for the virus. 

Loaisiga, Cortes, and Peralta are all fully vaccinated, but at least one of the other three is not.