Eyeing a bounceback season, Aaron Nola ‘looks strong’ in spring debut

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Aaron Nola is the first to admit that last year “wasn’t a great year.”

The typically durable Phillies right-hander was limited to just 17 starts last season due to an ankle sprain, followed by a stress fracture in his rib cage. Not counting his 12 starts in the 60-game 2020 season shortened by COVID-19, it marked his fewest since he was a rookie in 2015.

When he did pitch, his velocity wasn’t where it has been in past years. Nola’s four-seam averaged 91.9 mph in 2025, down from 92.5 mph in 2024. Accordingly, batters went from a .167 average against the pitch to .230.

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So when Nola touched 92.9 mph with the pitch in his first spring start on Friday, he and Phillies manager Rob Thomson found the results encouraging.

“Normally, his velocity is not there yet. That comes later in camp. But he looks strong,” Thomson said.

Nola pitched two innings in a 10-2 win over Miami at Baycare Ballpark on Friday. The Phillies sent another group to Lakeland, Fla., and they fell, 16-8, to Detroit.

“My body feels good,” said Nola, who allowed two hits and one run, striking out two. “I feel like I’m ramping up nicely, and I’m conditioning pretty well. Hope I’m healthy all year, and to throw 32, 33 starts again like I usually do. So preparing for that.”

Nola added long toss to his offseason program, which Thomson thinks may have helped build up strength. When his velocity is back up in the 92-93 mph range, that can help Nola’s off-speed offerings, like his curveball and changeup, be more effective.

Nola said he felt a bit more prepared than normal for Friday’s two innings, as he had started his winter throwing program earlier after coming off an injury-shortened season. Instead of honing in on one or two pitches to work on as he might normally, he also used all five in his arsenal.

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He’s preparing to represent Italy, where his great-grandparents on his father’s side are from, in the World Baseball Classic and will make one more Phillies start before then.

“Talking to the guys, [the WBC is] like a playoff game,” Nola said. “So I got two starts before pretty much a playoff game. So I wanted to focus in a little bit more.”

Infielder Aidan Miller (sore back) played catch Friday. Orion Kerkering (hamstring strain) is set to throw a 26-pitch bullpen on Saturday.

Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, Bryson Stott, and Justin Crawford all hit doubles. Adolis García hit two singles to finish 2-for-3.

“[García] battled two strikes,” Thomson said. “His at-bats were a lot better today. Everybody, I think, looks like they’re getting their timing down and getting comfortable at the plate. And I thought we controlled the strike zone really well.”

Stott’s double came against Miami left-hander Bobby Snelling, and it comes a day after he homered to the opposite field off Nationals lefty Jake Eder. Stott hit .225 against lefties last season and was often in a platoon with Edmundo Sosa.

Phillies shortstop prospect Bryan Rincon doubled, homered, and stole a base.

Lou Trivino pitched the third inning and allowed one run on two hits and a walk.

Bryse Wilson allowed one hit over two innings and recorded three strikeouts. Max Lazar and Seth Johnson each pitched a scoreless inning and allowed one hit. Johnson’s fastball touched 98 mph.

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“He’s had three at-bats against lefties and been on base every time,” Thomson said of Stott. “So he’s looked good. He’s really working the other side of the field, staying flat to the ball, and his plate discipline’s been excellent.”

The Phillies head to Dunedin, Fla., to face the Blue Jays on Saturday (1:07 p.m., NBCSP). Cristopher Sánchez will take the ball against Toronto’s Dylan Cease.