A Philadelphia Phillies pitcher searches for answers after Aaron Nola had another poor outing on the mound. This is the second consecutive year Nola has been struggling early in the season after having had a rough 2025 campaign. Nola has a 2-4 record with a 6.04 ERA and a 4.47 FIP in 10 starts this year. Furthermore Nola has a 1.56 WHIP and a 2.83 K/BB rate. Nola also has a concerning 1.60 HR/9 allowed rate. However, Nola is known for not being able to keep the ball in the yard as since the start of the 2019 season he has given up 170 home runs. That is the second most, behind Patrick Corbin, among qualified pitchers.
Aaron Nola on his first 10 starts: “Not that great, honestly.” pic.twitter.com/0BZNCNUDZ7
— OnPattison (@OnPattison) May 20, 2026
Nola had a 5-10 record with a 6.01 ERA and a 4.58 FIP in 17 starts last season. Additionally Nola had a 1.35 WHIP as well as a 3.46 K/BB rate. To add to that Nola recorded a 1.72 HR/9 allowed rate. Outside of his HR/9 allowed and HR/FB rates, Nola has regressed compared to 2025. Nola was placed on the injured list in May of last season and spent most of the year on it. This made 2025 the second non-shortened season of Nola’s career where he pitched fewer than 100 innings. The other season was 2015 when Nola made his debut. Nola has the third most innings pitched since the start of the 2019 season.
Phillies Pitcher Searches For Improvements
The Contract And The Role It Plays
With Nola under contract through the 2030 season it is unlikely he faces the same fate as Taijuan Walker did, at least for now. The Phillies made a long overdue move by releasing Walker earlier this year. Walker was in the last year of his contract though. It is highly unlikely for the club to give up on Nola at this stage. The lack of depth and the contract combine to make that the case. This means as the Phillies pitcher searches for answers there is time. With that being said it is alarming that Nola has clearly regressed. A phantom injured list stint is not out of the question though as the Phillies pitcher searches for help.
What Can Be Done
Nola cannot be optioned to the minor leagues and cannot be traded without his consent. As this Phillies pitcher searches for answers it will have to come in the majors. Moving Nola to the bullpen is an option. Nola has not pitched out of the bullpen in the majors though. Additionally the Phillies lack the starting pitching depth to backfill. The easiest fix will be Nola altering his mechanics and pitch usage. Top pitching prospect Gage Wood is not ready for the majors either. Wood could be an option later in the season but is not right now. To add to that Wood make his scheduled to make his Double-A debut on May 22.
How It Has Effected The Rotation
While Nola has been ineffective, a different Phillies pitcher is dazzling as Zack Wheeler looks like himself. Cristopher Sánchez and Wheeler have been carrying the rotation. Andrew Painter is the lone regular Phillies starter with a worse starting ERA than Nola this year. Nola also has the highest walk rate in the group. Painter is going through growing pains as a rookie. Meanwhile Nola needs to give the Phillies a second effective right-handed starting pitcher. Having Wheeler as the sole effective right-handed starter is not good.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
