CHICAGO -- Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday in Philadelphia after experiencing back spasms following a 45-pitch bullpen session on Monday.
Nola left the team on Wednesday for the MRI, which manager Pete Mackanin said was mostly precautionary. Nola's spot in the rotation comes up Friday, and Mackanin said Nick Pivetta would likely start against the Nationals after the Phillies return home from their seven-game road trip.
Pivetta (0-1, 3.60 ERA) gave up two runs and nine hits over five innings against the Dodgers in his Major League debut Sunday.