The Philadelphia Phillies knew they were facing an uphill battle when their ace, Zack Wheeler, was ruled out for the season with a blood clot, but the fight just got exponentially tougher.

The team activated starting pitcher Aaron Nola the day after the Wheeler news was announced, hoping to get a shot in the arm, but he’s been anything but for them.

Nola gave up five runs before even recording an out in his start against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, failing to record a quality start in three of his four games since coming off the injured list.

For a player who has been looking like a shell of himself for years, fans and media members are beginning to come to the realization that it may be over for the former Cy Young candidate.

Phillies Face Calls to Shut Down Nola

Aaron Nola is done for the year. You cannot throw him again in 2025. Walker Buehler, you’re up pal.

— Connor Thomas (@ConnorThomas975) September 4, 2025

This Philadelphia radio show host makes it clear that trotting Nola back out on the field this year would not be a good idea.

The former All-Star’s earned run average has ballooned to nearly seven to go along with 1.5 walks and hits per inning pitched, both career worsts by far.

Nola has given up at least four runs in five of his last six starts dating back to May and he has shown no signs of improvement, even after three months on the injured list.

The thought of Aaron Nola pitching a playoff game this season is so hilariously preposterous to me.

I wouldn't even have him on the playoff roster.

— Darren DeGaetano (@DarrenDegaetano) September 3, 2025

The Phillies may have no choice but to pitch the right-hander in the playoffs because of their lack of starting pitching depth, but they shouldn’t expect much more than they’ve gotten in the regular season.

He’s been getting hit all around the park for most of the last three seasons and has become one of the worst starters in the league when it comes to giving up the long ball.

The man who was once a beacon of hope in Philadelphia has eroded into a glorified inning eater, who the team mostly wins in spite of.

How the Phillies Proceed

There was a point in time where Nola looked to be one of the brightest young arms in the league, who would contend for multiple Cy Young awards in his career, but he is a far cry from that now.

Phillies fans may want to shut him down for the season, but it’s unclear if the team has the tools to do that.

If they do, they have some dependable, young lefties in Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez, who have both earned their stripes over the course of the season.

Shutting down Nola or leaving him off the postseason roster would be a tough workaround, but it may just be the team’s best option at this stage.