Phillies Announce Aaron Nola Career News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Jan 24, 2026 5:17 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies have managed to retain many of their key pieces in MLB free agency, and the roster will head into the 2026 season with a familiar core and renewed expectations of finally breaking through.

Despite consistent regular-season success, including back-to-back NL East titles, the Phillies have repeatedly struggled to advance past the divisional round of the postseason.

If they hope to push further in 2026, right-handed starter Aaron Nola will need to deliver more than he did a year ago, and the organization is banking on the idea that his 2025 performance was an outlier.

The 32-year-old veteran made just 17 starts, finishing with a career-worst 6.01 ERA, a 5–10 record and 97 strikeouts.

Those numbers fell well short of the standard he has set throughout his career, and the Phillies will need a return to form, especially considering he has five years remaining on his seven-year, $172 million contract.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27)© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

In the midst of preparing for the new season, Nola made headlines by announcing he will compete for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic this March.

The Phillies confirmed his decision this week. “Nols will be suiting up for Team Italy at the WBC! ,” the team wrote on X.

It will be his first time representing Italy, a nod to his family heritage, and the tournament will give him an opportunity to refine his command and timing against elite international competition before rejoining the club for Opening Day.

Nols will be suiting up for Team Italy at the WBC! pic.twitter.com/7sFw4iENfV
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) January 23, 2026

The added workload could benefit Nola heading into a season where he hopes to move past last year’s struggles.

Aaron Nola Aims to Rebound After a Difficult 2025

Nola first missed time last season with a sprained right ankle in May, an injury that later developed into a more serious stress fracture in his right rib and kept him out for nearly four months.

Even when he was available, he struggled to find his rhythm and ultimately could not be relied upon in October. That downturn marked a shift from the consistency he has delivered throughout his 11-year career in Philadelphia.

He has been a one-time All-Star, earned three top-10 finishes in National League Cy Young voting and established himself as one of the sport’s most durable arms.

Until last season, he had logged four straight years with at least 30 starts, a workload that underscored how central he has been to the Phillies’ rotation.

With a healthy offseason and a fresh opportunity on the international stage, the Phillies believe Nola can reestablish himself as the reliable anchor their rotation has long depended on.

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

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