Phillies Pitcher Aaron Nola's Spring Training Plan After Pitching for Italy in World Baseball Classic

Nola is expected to make one more appearance before Opening Day after his strong WBC performance.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:03pm

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After pitching for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola is now focused on preparing for the 2026 MLB season. Nola is expected to make one more spring training appearance before Opening Day, as he looks to build on his strong WBC performance where he posted a 1.00 ERA over 9 innings.

Why it matters

Nola is a key part of the Phillies' starting rotation, and the team is hoping he can bounce back after a down 2025 season where he had a 6.01 ERA. His strong WBC showing indicates he may be ready to return to form, which would be a big boost for the Phillies as they aim to contend in 2026.

The details

In his final WBC appearance, Nola threw 59 pitches over 4 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and a walk while striking out 3. Overall in the tournament, he pitched 9 innings with a 1.00 ERA and an 8/2 K/BB ratio. After the Phillies' loss to Venezuela, Nola's attention has now shifted to getting ready for the upcoming MLB season.

  • Nola is expected to make one more spring training appearance before Opening Day, likely on Sunday.
  • Nola pitched 9 innings total in the World Baseball Classic.

The players

Aaron Nola

A right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who has been with the team for 11 seasons, making the All-Star team in 2018.

Philadelphia Phillies

A Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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What they’re saying

“Once he returns to spring training, Nola is expected to make one more pitching appearance before Opening Day.”

— Jon Morosi, MLB Network reporter (MLB Network)

What’s next

The Phillies will monitor Nola's progress in his final spring training appearance before determining his role and usage to start the 2026 regular season.

The takeaway

Nola's strong performance in the World Baseball Classic has the Phillies optimistic that he can bounce back and return to being an ace-caliber starter in 2026 after a down year in 2025. If he can build on his WBC success, it would be a major boost for the Phillies' playoff hopes.