PHILADELPHIA -- Aaron Nola's back is feeling "much better," according to Phillies manager Pete Mackanin.
"Hopefully, knock on wood, he'll only miss the one start," Mackanin said.
The Phillies right-hander was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Friday and is eligible to be activated on Monday. His spot in the rotation, however, is not due up until next Friday.
In terms of getting Nola back into the rotation, Mackanin said no decisions have been made. But, given a clean bill of health, the team has options if it wants him to pitch before his turn on Friday, including starting him earlier in the week and pushing the rest of the rotation back.
"We just want to make sure he's healthy," Mackanin said. "We'll know in the next few days if he's progressing. Sounds like he is."
Nola was slated to start Wednesday's game against the Marlins. In his absence, Nick Pivetta was brought up to the team Tuesday -- although not formally added to the roster -- to fill in for Nola.
But Tuesday's rainout muddled those plans as the entire rotation could be pushed back a day given the extra night's rest. Pivetta was sent back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but is the "most likely guy" to start on Sunday when Nola's spot in the rotation returns, Mackanin said.
"It's kind of goofy, but it's to protect the player," Mackanin said of sending Pivetta back down so quickly.