Aaron Nola News: Activated ahead of start

The Phillies reinstated Nola (rib/ankle) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday in Washington.

Nola will make his return to the rotation for the first time since mid-May, after he was initially placed on the IL due to a right ankle sprain before his stint on the shelf was prolonged by a stress fracture in his right rib. The veteran righty made enough progress in his recoveries from both injuries to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 1, and after accruing a 2.19 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB over 12.1 innings across three rehab starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he proved that he was ready to return. Nola tossed 84 pitches in his final rehab outing and should be capable of handling a typical workload Sunday in what looks to be a soft landing in his return, as he'll be taking on a Nationals squad that has posted a 90 wRC+ as a team since the All-Star break.