Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola to have an MRI on his back
CHICAGO - Aaron Nola returned to Philadelphia on Wednesday to have an MRI exam as the team tries to find the source of his lower back pain.
Manager Pete Mackanin said the MRI is precautionary and that Nola is "showing signs of getting better." Nola threw a bullpen session at Wrigley Field on Monday. It is unlikely that he will pitch his next turn in the rotation Friday at Citizens Bank Park.
"He felt a spasm in his lower back when he went to tie his shoes or something," Mackanin said. "We're not going to take any chances."
Nola has not pitched since April 20 when he felt tightness in his lower back during a start against the Mets. The Phillies placed him on the 10-day disabled list, hoping he would miss just one or two starts. Friday will be the second start that Nola misses; he will be replaced again by Nick Pivetta.
Pivetta made his major-league debut on Sunday in Los Angeles and allowed two runs in five innings.
Nola first thought the pain was caused by a muscle, but was unsure after it lingered. The MRI should give him a better idea.
Kendrick improving
Outfielder Howie Kendrick, who has been with the team for the duration of the seven-game road trip, is showing signs of improvement as he works his way back from an oblique injury. Mackanin said Kendrick is "pretty close" to returning and should take batting practice when the team returns home.
Kendrick started the season with a .333 batting average and a .395 on-base percentage in his first 10 games. He has not played since April 15. His injury created playing time for Aaron Altherr, who has since batted .349 with a .417 on-base percentage and a .628 slugging percentage.
"When he gets back, then I have figure out what to do with Altherr because Altherr's swinging good," Mackanin said.
Hamels on DL
The Phillies will miss a chance to face Cole Hamels later this month after the Texas Rangers placed the pitcher on the disabled list with an oblique strain.
In five starts, Hamels has a 3.03 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 12 walks in 32 2/3 innings. The former Phillies ace is 24-6 with a 3.38 ERA in 49 starts with Texas since being traded by the Phillies in the summer of 2015. His numbers with the Rangers are similar to his stats over 10 seasons with the Phils.
The Phillies visit Texas on May 16 for a three-game series. It looked like Hamels' spot in the rotation would fall on one of those days until he was scratched from Tuesday night's start. Hamels is expected to miss eight weeks.
Extra bases
Zach Eflin will pitch in the series finale on Thursday afternoon against John Lackey. …The Phillies entered Wednesday as one of just six teams who have yet to throw a shutout. They had five at this point last season.