Phillies Need $172 Million Hurler To Bounce Back After Down Year

Veteran pitcher Aaron Nola must regain his form for the Phillies to make a playoff push.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Philadelphia Phillies will need more production from their starting rotation this season after losing All-Star pitcher Ranger Suárez in free agency to the Boston Red Sox. In addition to losing Suárez, the Phillies will also be missing Zach Wheeler at the beginning of the season after he underwent surgery in September. The team will have to turn to other pitchers like top prospect Andrew Painter, but one player they need to step up is 32-year-old hurler Aaron Nola.

Why it matters

Nola is one of the Phillies' highest-paid players, entering the third year of a seven-year, $172 million contract. After posting a 6.01 ERA with 97 strikeouts in limited action last season, the former All-Star has the most to prove for the Phillies this year as the team looks to make a playoff run.

The details

Nola went 5-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 17 starts last season, the highest ERA by a Phillies pitcher (minimum 90 innings) since Nick Pivetta's 6.02 ERA in 2017. Despite being one of the most consistent pitchers in the league in recent memory, making 32 or more starts in four of the last five seasons, Nola's struggles last year are concerning as he is 32 years old and has thrown more innings and more pitches than anybody in baseball since 2017.

  • Nola underwent surgery in September 2025.
  • Nola is entering the third year of his seven-year, $172 million contract in 2026.

The players

Aaron Nola

A 32-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who is entering the third year of a seven-year, $172 million contract.

Ranger Suárez

An All-Star pitcher who left the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency to join the Boston Red Sox.

Zach Wheeler

A Phillies pitcher who is expected to miss the beginning of the 2026 season after undergoing surgery in September 2025.

Andrew Painter

A top pitching prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies who could see more playing time this season.

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What they’re saying

“Nola went 5-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 17 starts last season. It was the highest ERA by a Phillies pitcher (minimum 90 innings) since Nick Pivetta's 6.02 ERA in 2017. Bad seasons happen. But what made Nola's troubles concerning is that he is 32, and he has thrown more innings and more pitches than anybody in baseball since 2017.”

— Todd Zolecki, MLB.com writer (MLB.com)

What’s next

The Phillies will need Nola to bounce back this season, especially with Zach Wheeler's injury and the team's rotation facing other questions.

The takeaway

The Phillies are counting on Nola, one of their highest-paid players, to regain his All-Star form after a down year in 2025. His ability to rebound will be crucial for the team's playoff hopes in 2026.