Phillies manager Gabe Kapler named 24-year-old right-hander Aaron Nola the club’s opening day starter following an 8-3 shelling by the Yankees in Florida.
Nola went two innings in his spring debut allowing three earned runs off four hits while striking out three batters on Sunday. Kapler said the budding ace has earned the opportunity to start opening day March 29 in Atlanta.
This season will be Nola’s third on the opening day roster and his first opportunity to open the season. Former manager Pete Mackanin had given Nola the chance to be the home opening day starter for the last two seasons, but opted for the veteran Jeremy Hellickson for the season openers, both of which were in Cincinnati.