It was a tumultuous season for Aaron Nola in 2025, dealing with a rib and ankle injury that forced him to miss over two months of the season.
The veteran right-hander made his Spring Training debut in Grapefruit League action on Friday and put together a solid two innings.
“I felt good today,” Nola told Tom McCarthy and Ruben Amaro Jr. during his in-game interview on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
“Good to finally get in a game and see some hitters in a real game in front of fans. Everything felt pretty good.”
Nola tossed two innings, allowing two hits and an earned run and struck out two batters. His lone blemish was an RBI double that got carried by the wind, giving Otto Kemp trouble in left field as he tried to track it down before it landed at the base of the wall.
The 32-year-old’s fastball averaged 91.7 mph, a tick faster than his season average last year at an even 91 mph. Nola worked this offseason to increase his heater velocity.
During the in-game interview, Nola mentioned how he got back into long tossing this offseason, something he used to do more frequently in the past, especially during his days at LSU.
“I just started a little bit earlier since I didn’t have many innings last year and I was hurt. I just wanted to ease into it a little earlier than I usually do because I didn’t throw as much, and I ended the year healthy. I wanted to long toss a little bit more, and I haven’t been able to do that in quite some time because I usually start a little later,” Nola said.
He also added, “The past five years, I haven’t really long tossed in an offseason. I took Spring Training to really ramp up and to take my games that way. But it was really nice to do that again this year. I think it’s good for pitchers to do it, and it helps me get behind the ball more, and obviously, with my arm slot and the ball running, it helps me do that.”
Nola confirmed he will make another start on March 4 with the Phillies before he heads to Houston to get ready to pitch for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
Most importantly for Nola, his injuries he dealt with last season seem to be in the rearview mirror.
“I felt strong. Obviously, banged up with the ankle and rib longer than I thought. Came back and towards the end of the regular season and the playoff game, I felt really good. The ankle and rib felt really good, no pain. It was nice to have a regular offseason and be healthy.”
The Phillies are hoping to get a bounce-back year from Nola, who, before last season, made 32 starts or more in four consecutive seasons and pitched over 190 innings in three of those campaigns. He posted a career-worst 6.01 ERA last season in 17 starts in 2025, pitching in 94⅓ innings, his fewest since 2020 in the COVID-shortened season, where he logged 71⅓ innings.
