Phillies call up Buddy Kennedy, send Weston Wilson down, and place Aaron Nola on the 60-day injured list

MIAMI — Millville’s own Buddy Kennedy is back up with the Phillies.

The Phillies selected the infielder’s contract on Thursday, recalling him from triple-A Lehigh Valley. Weston Wilson, who had a .194 batting average in 22 games with the Phillies this season, was optioned to triple A.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the decision to option Wilson was more about giving him an opportunity to get more consistent at-bats in the minor leagues.

Wilson had been Max Kepler’s platoon partner in left field, seeing time there against left-handed starters. While Kennedy worked on his outfield skills this offseason and in spring training, he has not played an inning in the outfield for Lehigh Valley in 2025. He primarily plays first base but has also appeared at second, third, and designated hitter.

Instead, Thomson plans to platoon Otto Kemp with Kepler in left. Kemp played seven games in left field in triple A this year, and has not yet appeared there in the majors. But he has continued to get outfield work in outside of games.

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“He’s really athletic, and he runs better than people think, and he’s a baseball player. He just is,” Thomson said. “He just goes out and he plays and plays hard every day, and I don’t think much really bothers him; he’s very comfortable, so I think he’s going to be fine.”

Kennedy had a brief stint with the Phillies last season, but was designated for assignment following spring training. He returned to the organization in April on a minor league deal.

Kennedy slashed .283/.388/.447 and has hit eight home runs in 61 games with the IronPigs this season. He was named International League player of the month for May.

“Just really letting the ball travel and hit it to right field,” Kennedy said of his offensive production. “I think I’m at my best is when I’m hitting pitches, obviously over the middle of the plate, but with two strikes, trying to nibble away, maybe fouling off a pitch. I feel like this year I’ve been better on fouling off the pitch, but also getting hits to right to keep me in the at-bat.”

To clear a spot for Kennedy on the Phillies’ 40-man roster, Aaron Nola was transferred to the 60-day injured list. The move was more about timing, Thomson said, and not due to a setback.

Nola had been on the 15-day injured list since May 15, initially with a right ankle sprain. However, while working his way back from that injury, the right-hander suffered a stress fracture in his right rib, which shut him down from throwing entirely. Thomson said Wednesday that Nola has recovered from the ankle sprain and is focused on the rib injury.

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“Obviously, I haven’t thrown yet, so I don’t know how it is going to feel throwing,” Nola said. “Hopefully in several days, I can start to toss a little bit, hopefully it feels good, and then I can try to get back to the normal day stuff. But on a day-to-day basis, it’s feeling better.”

Nola said he did not know what a long-term timeline for his return would be. July 14 is the earliest date that he can return from the injured list.

Bryce Harper (right wrist irritation), who did not travel with the team to Miami, threw on Thursday for the first time since hitting the injured list. He also took dry swings with a bat. On Friday, the Phillies plan for him to throw a bit further, and also hopefully hit off a tee.

“He’s to the point where he can swing. I don’t know if there’s still some pain in there,” Thomson said.

The Phillies will know more about his potential timeline when the team returns home on Friday, according to Thomson.

Kemp was back in the lineup on Thursday after being held out the day prior with some swelling in his knee, after fouling a ball off of it. Thomson said he is fine. ... The Phillies open a three-game homestand against the Mets on Friday, with Zack Wheeler (7-2,2.76 ERA) scheduled to start the series opener.