Phillies Place Nola on 15-Day DL; Gomez on Paternity List

Phillies starter Aaron Nola has not been himself for much of the last two months.  After defeating the Milwaukee Brewers on June 5, Nola's earned run average has skyrocketed from 2.65 to 4.78.  In that span, Nola won just one game - a rather shaky outing in Atlanta in which he was spotted five runs in the first inning.  It turns out, there is a reason for Nola's struggles: an elbow strain.

The Phillies announced on Wednesday afternoon that Nola has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with the elbow strain.  The injury is alarming in that it is the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow that frequently leads to "Tommy John" surgery.  Should this be more than a strain that can be fixed with rest, Nola may have to undergo the surgery, which could mean he misses most to all of the 2017 season.

Taking Nola's place for tonight is Phil Klein.  Klein was claimed on waivers from the Texas Rangers earlier this season.  Working mostly as a reliever, Klein has a 2-3 record and 4.80 earned run average in the Major Leagues.  Klein started two games for the Rangers in 2015 and five for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs since the Phillies claimed him.

Klein is likely in Philadelphia because he was set to start tonight for the IronPigs.   The move could open a rotation spot for Jake Thompson in the future, however.  Thompson could not help the Phillies tonight because he pitched just Sunday for the IronPigs.  The Phillies could position Thompson to join the rotation at a later time.

Meanwhile, Jeanmar Gomez was placed on the paternity list.  Reliever Michael Mariot, who was claimed in the offseason but started the season on the disabled list, will take Gomez's place in the Phillies bullpen.  The move could mean that Hector Neris will get an opportunity to close a game, if need be.

Both Klein and Mariot were already on the 40-man roster, so no other moves needed to be made.