By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Having won five consecutive games—in which they have outscored their opponents 23-13—the Philadelphia Phillies (7-3-1) will send top-rotation arm Aaron Nola to the mound Thursday afternoon for his second spring start as he opposes right-hander Jordan Zimmermann and the Detroit Tigers (6-4).
Prior to the game, the Phillies announced that they have reassigned right-handers Mark Appel (2.25 ERA), Zach Eflin (1.80) and Jake Thompson (0.00) to minor league camp.
Phillies infielder/outfielder Cody Asche has "had a setback," according to Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal, as a MRI he had Wednesday revealed a Grade 1 oblique strain. He will "back off" from hitting as he recovers.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Detroit Tigers (6-4) | Philadelphia Phillies (7-3-1) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jordan Zimmermann | RHP | Aaron Nola | ||
| (0-0, 3.38 ERA) | (0-1, 18.00 ERA) | ||||
Zimmermann, 29, signed to a five-year, $110 million contract this offseason with the Tigers after spending his entire career within the Washington Nationals' organization upon being drafted in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft.
Nola, 22, surrendered four first-inning runs—and two home runs to designated hitter Troy Tulowitzki and left fielder Michael Saunders—in his first start of the spring against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.
Starting Lineups:
| Detroit Tigers (6-4) | Philadelphia Phillies (7-3-1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | TBA | 1 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | ||
| 2 | 2 | LF | Tyler Goeddel | R | |||
| 3 | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | |||
| 4 | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | |||
| 5 | 5 | RF | Nick Williams | L | |||
| 6 | 6 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R | |||
| 7 | 7 | 1B | Brock Stassi | L | |||
| 8 | 8 | 2B | Ryan Jackson | R | |||
| 9 | 9 | DH | Jorge Alfaro | R | |||
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: TCN, MLB.TV
- Radio: WXYT 1270
Game Notes:
- Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard will sit for the sixth consecutive game as he recovers from "an illness that has swept camp," notes Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. Phillies' right-hander Jeremy Hellickson was scratched from yesterday's start against the Orioles with the flu.
- The Phillies (.700) are currently fourth in the Grapefruit League standings, trailing only the Toronto Blue Jays (.875), Houston Astros (.750) and Washington Nationals (.750).
What's Next:
- Friday, March 11, 2016: at Atlanta Braves, 1:05 p.m.
- Kissimmee – Champion Stadium
- RHP Charlie Morton (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. RHP Kyle Kendrick (0-1, 9.00 ERA)
- TV: N/A; Radio: WFOM 1230, WIFN 1340, MLB.com
