Aaron Nola dropped to 0-5 on the season Monday night, now lugging around a 6.43 ERA through 28 innings. It’s the worst start to a season in his 11-year career — and it’s getting harder to chalk it up to small sample size.
He gave up solo home runs to Francisco Lindor and Jesse Winker — both leadoff shots, both on hittable pitches in hitter’s counts. Then he nearly surrendered a three-run homer to Juan Soto in the third inning, a rocket that missed the foul pole in right by inches. He’s now given up six homers in five starts, after allowing a National League–worst 30 last year.
And while the line — four runs over 6 1/3 innings — looks serviceable, the red flags keep piling up. His first-pitch strike percentage is down to 56.3%, per FanGraphs, more than 10 points off last year and well below his career norm. His velocity continues to trend down. He’s behind in counts. He’s behind in games.
Nola is the first Phillies pitcher to start a season 0-5 since Alec Asher in 2015. And with the Phillies returning to Citi Field for the first time since last October’s NLDS exit, the timing — and the struggles — couldn’t feel much worse.
Bullpen Woes
The Phillies bullpen entered Tuesday with a 5.80 ERA — second-worst in baseball — and if you’re wondering how that’s possible for a team with October aspirations, Jordan Romano is part of the answer.The offseason addition was supposed to solidify the back end. Instead, he was tasked Monday with finishing off an 11-4 laugher and nearly handed it back. After giving up a three-run homer to Dane Myers, he was left in to allow an RBI double and another two-run shot before José Alvarado came in to stop the bleeding — and preserve what turned into a harrowing 11-10 win.
Romano had strung together three straight scoreless appearances, and his fastball averaged 97 mph on Monday. But the ERA? It's now 15.26 through 7 2/3 innings. And trust in a leverage spot? That’s vanished.
As a group, Phillies relievers are allowing a .287 batting average — worst in the Majors. That's not just loud contact. That’s too much contact, period.
Staff Updates
Andrew Painter, the Phillies’ top pitching prospect, continues to look like a ticking clock toward South Philly. The 22-year-old right-hander followed up his impressive April 13 debut with three scoreless innings on Friday, striking out four while throwing 35 of 49 pitches for strikes. He’s now fanned seven in 4 2/3 innings while flashing triple-digit heat on the radar gun — yes, that’s 100 mph in April.
All signs point to a potential debut around the All-Star break.
Taijuan Walker currently occupies the fifth spot in the rotation. Ranger Suárez, meanwhile, is lined up for another rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, expected to throw 70–75 pitches. Assuming all goes well, he could return to the starting rotation next week.
All signs point to a potential debut around the All-Star break.
Taijuan Walker currently occupies the fifth spot in the rotation. Ranger Suárez, meanwhile, is lined up for another rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, expected to throw 70–75 pitches. Assuming all goes well, he could return to the starting rotation next week.
Marsh Sidelined
Brandon Marsh hasn’t had a hit since April 10. Now, he won’t have another at-bat for at least 10 more days.The Phillies placed the struggling outfielder on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained right hamstring — a move backdated to Thursday after Marsh felt discomfort chasing a weird hop off the bat of a Giants hitter the day before.
The timing, while unfortunate, may not be entirely disruptive. Marsh is hitless in his last 31 at-bats and hitting .095 through 17 games, with just one home run and five RBIs.
When he returns, the Phillies hope to see not just a healthy hamstring — but a rebooted bat.
When he returns, the Phillies hope to see not just a healthy hamstring — but a rebooted bat.
