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Dave Dombrowski Expresses Regret Over Aaron Nola Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated May 29, 2025 9:00 AM ET

After a dismal start to the 2025 season, Phillies' right-hander Aaron Nola went on the injured list with a right ankle sprain. The injury - Nola's first since 2017 - was sustained right before his May 9th start in Cleveland and is at least partially responsible for his subsequent poor performances then and against St. Louis.

While both Nola and Phillies' trainers thought that he could play through the discomfort, they later made the decision to sideline him for at least three starts. Afterwards, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski wished they were more proactive with their veteran starter.

"If we had hindsight at that time, we wouldn't have put him out there for his next two outings," Dombrowski told the New York Post. "He was just starting to pick up his velocity."

Nola lost his first five starts of 2025 while posting an unsightly 6.43 ERA. He looked more like his normal self in Phillies victories against the Cubs and Diamondbacks, allowing only one run in 13 innings while striking out 14.

But after losing that momentum and throwing the worst start of his entire 11-year career - nine earned runs on 12 hits in 3.2 innings - there was no question that Aaron needed help.

Now on the IL, Nola started to test his ankle with a light workout Tuesday. He still has a few steps to go before being ready to pitch again.

"The timing's been a little slower as far as his rehab's concerned," Dombrowski said. "We're just making sure he gets through this completely. We don't want him going out there with a sore ankle at all at this point. It's apparent that it did affect him."

"It's not like it it's an imminent return. He could return this Friday - it won't be then. But I don't think he's far behind that."

Dombrowski left some ambiguity over whether or not Nola would require a rehab assignment. Still, with the success the five guys currently in Philly's rotation - Taijuan Walker included - are experiencing, it's probably the correct call to not rush things here.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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