The Philadelphia Phillies are currently addressing a significant gap in their starting rotation following Aaron Nola’s placement on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained right ankle. Nola, a long-time anchor of the Phillies’ pitching staff, has struggled this season with a 1–7 record and a 6.16 ERA over nine starts, including a challenging outing against the St. Louis Cardinals where he allowed nine runs and 12 hits in just 3⅔ innings .
In response, the Phillies have promoted right-hander Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make his Major League debut on Sunday. Additionally, Taijuan Walker is expected to return to the rotation next week .
Amid these developments, speculation has arisen regarding potential external acquisitions to bolster the Phillies’ rotation. One name that has surfaced is José Berríos of the Toronto Blue Jays. Berríos, who signed a seven-year, $131 million contract with the Blue Jays in 2021, is a two-time All-Star and has been a consistent performer in their rotation. In 2024, he posted a 16–11 record with a 3.60 ERA over 32 starts .
A proposed trade scenario suggests the Phillies could acquire Berríos in exchange for outfielder Nick Castellanos. This move would provide the Phillies with a reliable starting pitcher to fill the void left by Nola’s injury and potentially strengthen their rotation for a postseason push .
While this trade remains speculative, it highlights the Phillies’ potential strategies to address their current pitching challenges. As the season progresses, further developments may clarify the team’s direction in reinforcing their roster.