By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
DUNEDIN, Fla. — Just six games into Grapefruit League action, the Philadelphia Phillies (2-2-1) will be facing the undefeated Toronto Blue Jays for the third time this afternoon as right-hander Aaron Nola takes the mound for his second career start of spring training.
Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr remains sidelined with soreness in his left wrist, suffered in the top of the first inning after a missed diving attempt on Friday. Wearing a splint, the 25-year-old has not yet had an X-ray taken and is considered to be "day-to-day," according to Meghan Montemurro. Altherr is batting .125/.300/.800 with one hit, a home run, and two runs scored.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (2-2-1) | Toronto Blue Jays (3-0-1) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Aaron Nola | RHP | Drew Hutchinson | ||
| (2015: 6-2, 3.59 ERA) | (2015: 13-5, 5.57 ERA) | ||||
Nola, 22, is viewed as one of two candidates to be the Phillies' Opening Day starter against the Cincinnati Reds on April 4, with the other being veteran right-hander Jeremy Hellickson.
In 13 starts during his rookie season in 2015, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native went 6-2 with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.197 WHIP ratio over 77 2/3 innings.
Last Sunday in exhibition play against the University of Tampa, Nola threw a perfect inning of relief, striking out one batter. Nola's only other career appearance in Grapefruit League action came last year on March 27, as he threw three scoreless innings against Carlos Beltran, Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees.
Hutchinson, 25, earns his first starting nod of spring training. His last appearance came on Tuesday's Grapefruit League opener, where the Phillies fell to right-hander Marcus Stroman and a five-RBI performance from shortstop Darwin Barney, 5-3. In two innings of relief, Hutchinson allowed one hit: a two-out, fourth inning solo home run to designated hitter J.P. Arencibia.
In two career starts against the Phillies during the regular season, June 15, 2012, and May 6, 2014, the right-hander sports a 5.19 ERA with nine hits, two walks and five earned runs allowed over 8 2/3 innings.
The Blue Jays and Hutchinson avoided arbitration on Jan. 15 by agreeing to a one-year, $2.2 million contract.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (2-2-1) | Toronto Blue Jays (3-0-1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | RF | Tyler Goeddel | R | 1 | DH | Troy Tulowitzki | R |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | 3B | Josh Donaldson | R |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | 1B | Chris Colabello | R |
| 4 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R | 4 | LF | Michael Saunders | L |
| 5 | LF | Nick Williams | L | 5 | CF | Junior Lake | R |
| 6 | DH | Carlos Ruiz | R | 6 | C | Josh Thole | L |
| 7 | 2B | Emmanuel Burriss | S | 7 | 2B | Darwin Barney | R |
| 8 | 3B | Taylor Featherston | R | 8 | RF | Ezequiel Carrera | L |
| 9 | C | Logan Moore | L | 9 | SS | Jiovanni Mier | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:07 p.m.
- TV: SNET-1, MLB.TV
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP, SN590
Game Notes:
- Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco currently leads of all baseball in runs-batted-in, 6. Franco is tied for first in home runs, 2, with three other players: Detroit Tigers' designated hitter Victor Martinez, Miami Marlins' center fielder Justin Maxwell and Blue Jays' first baseman Justin Smoak.
- Sickness is spreading through the Phillies' clubhouse, notes Corey Seidman of CSNPhilly.com. Players, coaches and guest instructors who have been affected include: Steve Henderson, Mike Schmidt, Charlie Manuel, Tyler Goeddel, Nick Williams and most recently Ryan Howard, who left Friday's game "out of sorts" with vision problems.
- Phillies infielders Taylor Featherston and Darnell Sweeney are tied for first, among three other players, in fielding errors committed (2). As a team, the Phillies have allowed the third-most in the category (5), however they have also fielded the most innings (405) out of the 29 other clubs.
What's Next:
- Sunday, March 6, 2016: vs. New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
- Clearwater – Bright House Field
- RHP Masahiro Tanaka (2015: 12-7, 3.51 ERA) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (2015: 9-9, 4.81 ERA)
- TV: CSN, MLB.TV; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
- Clearwater – Bright House Field
