PHILADELPHIA _ In the 15 days since his last start, Aaron Nola did not want to think about much. He knew his right arm felt fatigued as he neared the one-year anniversary of his major-league debut. He understood why the Phillies skipped him in the rotation, but it bothered him to miss a start.
When those worrisome thoughts crept into his head, Nola found peace on a pond in Louisiana.
He caught 20 bass in a two-day span during the all-star break.
"That keeps me calm," Nola said. "It keeps my mind in a better state."
On Monday, Nola will return to the Phillies rotation with scrutiny. He has not pitched since July 2. He has failed to pitch beyond five innings in each of his last five starts, which yielded a 13.50 ERA and altered most perceptions of Nola.
Those inside the clubhouse have restrained from panic.
"I haven't really seen a lot of discouragement from him as far as lack of confidence," pitching coach Bob McClure said. "First full year, it's not uncommon. I think this: As long as guys are fairly confident in themselves, they'll always work their way out of it."
The Phillies have attributed his woes to a "dead arm." Most pitchers experience such a sensation, whether it be during spring training or the summer grind. Some can power through it. Others, with less experience, struggle to adjust.
Nola, who did not pitch on every fifth day until two Junes ago when he entered pro ball, said the extra rest has recharged him. The 23-year-old right-hander threw a side bullpen session Friday and liked the way his arm felt. He will pitch Monday against Miami ace Jose Fernandez.
"I understand what they did," Nola said. "We don't want to miss any starts. But, at the end of the day, my arm feels good. That's the important thing, being healthy and maintaining your health."
The Phillies have a rotation filled with young arms; a pitcher 27 or younger has started in 70 of the team's 93 games. That is the second-highest total in baseball behind Atlanta. It has forced McClure to rethink how he handles the pitchers.
After seeing how Vince Velasquez emerged from his three-week respite spawned by a minor biceps injury, McClure wondered whether something similar should be mandated for all of his young pitchers. It was something he considered in spring training.
The longtime pitching coach said he never raised the idea with his bosses. But he was part of the group of decision-makers who applied it to Nola.
"They should have a point during the season where they actually do take two or three starts off," McClure said. "Just chill out for a little bit, mentally and physically."
That thinking, McClure said, should change as the team improves and the pitchers mature.
"Now," he said, "once we get to the point where we have a team we think we can contend with, they have to just fight through it. Their first year, that's the year you have to watch."
Nola made his debut July 21, 2015, and his first 30 starts in the majors contained both promise and perplexity.
"But I'm ready to go again," Nola said. "My body's real healthy."
