PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola thinks he could be back in the rotation as early as next week.
The Phillies placed him on the 10-day disabled list Monday with a strained lower back. Triple-A right-hander Nick Pivetta will take his spot in the rotation. He is expected to make his big league debut Sunday afternoon against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
"I don't think it's anything big," Nola said about the injury.
Nola said he experienced soreness in his back in Thursday's start against the Mets. His symptoms improved over the weekend, but he still felt some tightness throwing a bullpen session. The Phillies said they expect Nola to miss only one or two starts.
The move is retroactive to Friday, meaning Nola is eligible to be activated Monday in Chicago. Nola, 23, is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts. He spent most of the second half of last season on the DL with an injured right elbow, but so far the elbow has been fine.
"I guess I don't want it to lead to an arm thing again," Nola said. "I definitely don't want that to happen."
Pivetta is 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA in three starts with the IronPigs. He has struck out 24 and walked just two in 19 innings.
The Phillies acquired him in July 2015 in the Jonathan Papelbon trade with the Nationals. Pivetta is the organization's No. 12 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com.
"Way sooner than I expected," Pivetta said about his promotion. "I did not expect to be here this early. I am happy to be here right now. I'll see how long I stay and just have fun while I am here."
Pivetta had been scheduled to make his debut Wednesday night against the Marlins, but Tuesday's game was postponed because of rain. Vince Velasquez will pitch Wednesday night and Jeremy Hellickson will pitch Thursday afternoon.
"It feels good," Pivetta said. "I achieved my goal of getting here. I am happy to be here, happy to be part of this team and help them win. I want to get my feet on solid ground right now and just take it one step at a time."