PHILADELPHIA — After coming off of his worst, and shortest, outing this season, Aaron Nola was "surprised" at the timing of the decision to call him up to Philadelphia and make his first career major league start.
Triple-A Lehigh Valley was headed to workouts after his last start and IronPigs manager Dave Brundage pulled Nola off the bus and said the hotel's front desk wanted to see him. A confused Nola was then given the news he'd make his debut for the Phillies Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Thursday's outing against Rochester, in which Nola pitched three innings – he faced five batter in the fourth, failing to record an out – and gave up six runs, five earned, on seven hits didn't deter the Phillies from making the decision.