Nola set for return to Phils after cruising through latest rehab start

CINCINNATI -- Aaron Nola likely checked the final box in his rehab process on Tuesday night when he struck out 11 batters over 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Nola has said he felt good physically after each of his two previous rehab appearances. Assuming that's once again the case coming out of Tuesday night's outing, Nola's next start will come with the Phillies.

Nola is lined up to pitch on Sunday against the Nationals, though the Phillies could decide to give him an extra day and activate him for Monday's series opener vs. the Mariners.

"We're still talking about that," manager Rob Thomson said prior to the Phillies' game Tuesday night in Cincinnati. "We're going to wait until he gets through this and talk to him tomorrow and see where he's at."

If the Phillies decide to hold off on activating Nola until Monday, their rotation for the Nationals series would line up as follows: Jesús Luzardo (Thursday), Zack Wheeler (Friday), Taijuan Walker (Saturday) and Ranger Suárez (Sunday). All would be going on normal rest.

Given Suárez's recent struggles, however, the Phillies may choose to give him an extra day before his next start as opposed to Nola.

Regardless of whether Nola returns on Sunday or Monday, the Phils will likely operate with a six-man rotation for the time being. They're in the midst of playing 13 games in 13 days -- and 39 games in 41 days from Aug. 8-Sept. 17.

Pivoting to a six-man rotation is made possible not just by the return of Nola, but also the recent success of Walker. The veteran right-hander has a 3.39 ERA this season, including a 2.93 ERA over six starts during his most recent rotation stint -- his third of the season.

"I think it could benefit everybody, to tell you the truth," Thomson said on Monday about the possibility of using a six-man rotation when Nola comes back. "We've been riding these guys pretty hard all year."