Exploring Aaron Nola’s Potential Return from Injury in 2025

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00:00Let's talk about a pitcher right now for the Phillies, currently on the IL with an ankle issue.

00:04But when he returns, is Aaron Nola a pitcher that you're interested in, Joe?

00:09Yeah, he is. And it's based on that track record of that principle and the team he plays on, too, right?

00:14He's going to get offensive run support. He's going to have good defense behind him.

00:17The bullpen, a little shaky. But, you know, Aaron Nola is a guy that goes out there, makes 30 starts every year.

00:22The VLO has been down a little bit this season.

00:24And I think maybe this is the best thing that could happen to him is have a non-arm injury to go on the IL and just kind of take a break.

00:31Because it's been just a terrible start for Aaron Nola.

00:33But when you dig a little deeper, you know, I know the ERA currently is around six.

00:39But, I mean, you look at the XFIP and it's at 355.

00:43And he is a guy that has had stretches in his career where he's looked bad and then stretches where he looks dominant.

00:48This has always been who Aaron Nola has been.

00:50The thing is, typically it's more two-thirds good, one-third bad.

00:54So, the end-of-the-year counting stats look pretty decent.

00:56And he's a solid pitcher.

00:58Now, the thought process here is you've already gotten that bad third of the season out of the way.

01:03And it's not going to cost you a whole lot.

01:04My guess is the Aaron Nola manager in your league is frustrated.

01:07Frustrated that he's been bad and then even more frustrated that he's hurt and not knowing what to do.

01:14Take them away.

01:16Take Aaron Nola away from that manager and pluck him on your roster and wait and see.

01:21You don't even have to activate them into your starting lineup right away.

01:24You can wait on Aaron Nola, see how he performs when he returns from the ankle injury, and hopefully better days ahead.

01:29Because I think this is a pitcher you'd want for the second half.

01:31Again, too long of a track record, too good for too long.

01:34I think this is more just a purchase based on faith than anything else.

01:38Because the numbers haven't been great this year, but they haven't necessarily been the worst.

01:42His strikeout rate this year is at 9-4-2.

01:44That's actually better than last season.

01:46The walk rate's been killing him, too.

01:48The walk is just not where it needs to be.

01:50He's given up too many walks, too many home runs.

01:52But that could also be a matter of some of the teams he's faced, right?

01:57Some of the circumstances he's been in.

01:58We've had bad weather for Aaron Nola.

02:00He pitched the rain one day that really kind of killed his numbers.

02:03There's a lot of weirdness to Aaron Nola.

02:05I think this little break is the best thing that could happen to him.

02:08And I'd like to buy him for the next 100 games for the season.