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Tag: Phillies

Phillies to shift to a six-man rotation when Aaron Nola returns Sunday

The Philadelphia Phillies will shift to a six-man rotation beginning this weekend as veteran starter Aaron Nola returns to the big-league club, manager Rob Thomson confirmed Thursday.

Nola, 31-years-old, is scheduled to start Sunday in the series finale against the Washington Nationals. It will be his first major league appearance since May 14, after missing extended time with a right ankle sprain. The rotation shuffle is designed to give Philadelphia’s arms some much-needed rest as the team continues to lead the National League East and push toward October.

Thomson noted the change isn’t necessarily permanent but emphasized its importance in managing workload down the stretch.

“Once for sure, and then we’ve got some other ideas how to attack this thing as we move forward,” Thomson told reporters before Thursday’s series opener against the Nationals.

With Nola back in the mix, Philadelphia’s rotation now features six dependable arms: Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Taijuan Walker, and Nola. The added man allows for additional rest days for a group that’s logged more innings than any other rotation in baseball.

Managing a Heavy Workload

Philadelphia starters lead the majors with 693⅓ innings pitched. Sánchez is already at 150⅔ innings, and Wheeler has logged 144⅔, prompting the coaching staff to find creative ways to protect arms before the postseason.

“Just getting some of these guys some extra rest ’cause we’ve been grinding on them pretty hard all year,” Thomson explained. “The one downside to it is you’ve got to take somebody out of your bullpen, so you’re a little short there, but we’ll just have to figure it out.”

Wheeler and Suarez have shouldered ace duties for much of the season, while Sánchez and Luzardo have taken big steps forward. Walker has provided needed depth, but the team now adds back a right-hander who has postseason pedigree and playoff poise.

Nola Sharp in Rehab Outings

Before rejoining the club, Nola made three rehab starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, posting a 2.19 ERA while striking out 17 over 12⅓ innings. Reports indicate he’s regained form and velocity, making him a potentially pivotal asset for Philadelphia’s stretch run.

Nola’s presence also offers the Phillies more strategic flexibility — both with rotation sequencing and bullpen usage. Even if the six-man setup is temporary, it’s a sign that the club is prioritizing health and playoff readiness over chasing short-term wins.

Whether the rotation plan sticks remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear Philadelphia is all-in on protecting its arms while maintaining its NL East lead.

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Bryce Harper blasts 350th career home run, fastest active player to hit milestone

Bryce Harper launched himself further into the history books Wednesday, with a 439-foot blast that marked the 350th home run of his career. The shot, which came off Boston right-hander Lucas Giolito in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park, had an exit velocity of 110.8 mph and gave Philadelphia an early jolt in what turned out to be a wild 11-inning game.

With the milestone, the 32-year-old became the 105th player in MLB history to reach 350 home runs—and the youngest active player to do so. MLB’s Todd Zolecki got the opportunity to speak with the Phillies Harper after reaching the milestone.

“It’s pretty awesome,” he said. “But I just want to win. That’s always the priority.”

Power Surge Not Enough for Phillies in 11-Inning Loss

Harper’s homer followed a leadoff shot by Kyle Schwarber, and the offense didn’t stop there. Philadelphia launched five total home runs, with Nick Castellanos, Bryson Stott, and J.T. Realmuto joining the barrage. It looked like a celebratory night in the making, but Boston clawed back and eventually edged out a 9-8 win in 11 innings.

Zolecki also spoke to manager Rob Thomson, who believed he saw positives despite the loss.

“The offense was good tonight,” Thomson said. “We’re driving the ball with more authority lately.”

Stott Shines On and Off the Field

Stott’s performance added an emotional note to the night. The second baseman took the field just hours after his wife gave birth to their second child, then crushed a home run to left-center in a gutsy effort that didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates.

The two-time NL MVP praised the young infielder, highlighting both his resilience and commitment.

“To show up and do that? That’s big time.”

Harper’s Hot Streak Heating Up

Since the All-Star break, Harper has looked more and more like the MVP version of himself. Over his previous 10 games before Wednesday’s matchup, he tallied 16 hits, 14 of them for extra bases, and five home runs. His shot against Boston was his longest since September 2023 and his hardest-hit ball of the 2025 season.

The recent power surge has re-ignited talk of another historic run, and fans are watching closely as the veteran slugger climbs higher among baseball’s elite.

Among the Game’s Greats

With 350 career homers, Harper joins a short list of active players who’ve reached that benchmark. Here’s how he stacks up:

Player Career HR Age
Giancarlo Stanton 434 35
Mike Trout 395 33
Paul Goldschmidt 370 37
Manny Machado 360 32
Freddie Freeman 353 35
Nolan Arenado 351 34
Aaron Judge 351 33
Bryce Harper 350 32

With his name now alongside today’s premier sluggers, Harper’s Hall of Fame case grows stronger by the game—shifting from a question of if to a matter of when.

Social Buzz and Legacy Talk

MLB’s official accounts, along with national outlets like Bleacher Report, lit up social media celebrating the milestone. Clips of the home run paired with the Schwarber-Harper back-to-back moment racked up thousands of shares within minutes. The Talkin’ Baseball podcast took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and posted the homers.

Many call Harper one of the best pure power hitters of his generation—and it’s getting harder to argue otherwise.

The Philadelphia slugger’s 350th home run is more than a stat—it’s a statement. At 32, he’s far from winding down. He’s still launching baseballs into orbit, propelling his team toward October, and building a career that keeps trending toward Cooperstown.

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