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Phillies' Rob Thomson Provides Context to Aaron Nola Setback

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 12:30 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies were dealt a dose of horrible news on Tuesday, June 10th, when it was announced that starting pitcher Aaron Nola suffered a setback in his recovery. What was extra surprising about the setback as his injury had nothing to do with his initial injury, which landed him on the injured list.

Nola reportedly suffered a stress fracture in his ribs, which only came to light after an MRI. He is now unlikely to pitch until after the All-Star break and will miss significantly more time than initially anticipated.

Matt Gelb of The Athletic shared Rob Thomson's reaction to the news, and he revealed what he knew about what happened to Nola amid this horrible and strange injury update.

"I have no idea," Thomson said. "Because he doesn't really remember the moment that it happened. He just woke up one day, and it was sore."

That comment from Thomson, that no one knows how the injury occurred, is concerning. While Nola should be able to recover, his fractured ribs aren't a minor injury. Not knowing its origin is another odd turn in the saga that's become Nola's 2025.

In the 2025 offseason, Nola signed a huge nine-year, $170 million contract extension to stay in Philadelphia. His first year in that new deal hasn't gone well. The 32-year-old is off to the worst start of his career, not including his injury, which will stop Nola from continuing his streak of 30-plus games started for the Phillies.

Through his first nine starts of the season, Nola has a 6.16 ERA and a 1-7 record. Nola, in his 11th season in the MLB, has been struggling on the mound. Across his 49.2 innings pitched, Nola has 52 strikeouts, 16 walks, and has allowed 11 home runs.

After leading the National League in home runs allowed in 2024, Nola once again has struggled to contain the long ball in 2025. While Nola has struggled on the mound, his off-the-field setback is the real concern.

Thomson's update on Nola, that the origin of the injury is unknown, is a strange twist in the ongoing Nola injury situation. While the origin of the injury is unknown, Nola is expected back after the All-Star break. In the meantime, Mick Abel and the rest of the Phillies staff have to step up in Nola's absence.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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