CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So far, so good for Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola, who is scheduled to start Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.
Nola finished last season on the disabled list with a low-grade sprain of his UCL and a low-grade strain of his flexor pronator tendon in his right elbow. But after a platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection in August and a successful rehab in Clearwater, in October, he entered camp with no limitations. He has had no issues this spring.
But two other Phillies starting pitchers are behind schedule. Right-hander Zach Eflin suffered some swelling in his right knee after running sprints earlier this month. Right-hander Jake Thompson has had soreness in his right wrist, which developed in workouts.
Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said both could throw live batting practice next week.
No decision has been made, but it would not be a surprise to see Eflin open the season on the disabled list. That would give him more time to bounce back following offseason knee surgeries.