In a competitive NL East where every game counts, some decisions will have to be made. Team president Dave Dombrowski is under enormous pressure to make these decisions. With the franchise and its playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Dombrowski’s remarks with respect to call-ups sent show-stopping ripples through the organization. Well, you know what they say: timing, timing, timing in baseball.
Aaron Nola’s $172 million contract extension suddenly looks like a massive gamble gone wrong. The seven-year, $172 million deal signed in November 2023 was supposed to anchor the Phillies’ rotation, but Nola’s recent performance has raised serious questions about his reliability as the staff ace. With a concerning trend of inconsistency and diminished fastball velocity compared to his peak years, the veteran right-hander has struggled to justify his hefty price tag. Want to guess what happens when your ace pitcher becomes unreliable? The front office starts looking at younger, hungrier options.
Phil’s President Dave Dombrowski says it’s a possibility that Andrew Painter could get called up this month, but they haven’t discussed it yet.
Dave says Justin Crawford is ready to play in the majors, but he needs to play a lot, and Dave says right now in this moment they don’t… pic.twitter.com/vkGfA0syTg
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 1, 2025
Dombrowski’s candid assessment during his recent media appearance painted a telling picture. “Phil’s President Dave Dombrowski says it’s a possibility that Andrew Painter could get called up this month, but they haven’t discussed it yet,” John Clark reported on X. The 22-year-old right-hander has been the organization’s crown jewel, and Dombrowski’s measured words suggest internal discussions are heating up. He also mentioned Justin Crawford’s readiness, noting, “Justin Crawford is ready to play in the majors, but he needs to play a lot, and Dave says right now in this moment they don’t have enough playing time for him.”
Nola’s injury-fraught 2025 certainly added to the complications. Post-ankle sprain in mid-May, he discovered a stress fracture in the rib cage while continuing to sit out through the months. His 1-7 record in nine starts, coupled with a career-worst 6.16 ERA, puts forth a brutally harsh narrative. Painter has a few bumps along the way going to the big leagues-the 22-year-old prospect has pitched to a 4.50 ERA in 14 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the growing pains of accelerated development. Want to guess what adds pressure to this timeline? Nola’s scheduled rehab start at Triple-A Lehigh Valley Friday could fast-track his August return, potentially closing Painter’s 2025 window entirely.
Yet things are at least looking up as Nola threw 34 pitches in a recent bullpen, with manager Rob Thomson applauding the “very good” command and sharp curveball. “He looked really good out there,” Thomson said about the live BP session. On the other hand, Dombrowski’s outside-the-door moves unfold similarly to calculated decision-making that is about to radically change their rotation shortly.
Phillies President’s Deadline Spree
While situated internally, Nola’s is conflict-ridden, Dombrowski’s outside manipulations generate the aura of respect he commands throughout baseball. Before the trade deadline of July 31, the Philadelphia Phillies put on the show as the most aggressive shoppers of baseball, hunting down every available player and taking calls about their own highly prized prospects. Dombrowski orchestrated a blitz so complete throughout all corners of Major League Baseball with calculated aggression similar to that which is likely to alter their rotation.
“I can’t tell you there was any club over the last period that we did not speak to,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said after the MLB trade deadline had passed the evening of July 31. “There was no stone unturned.” The relentless pursuit paid dividends as Philadelphia identified and filled its two critical gaps: bullpen help and right-handed offensive firepower. Want to guess how this connects to the Painter situation? The same methodical approach applies internally.
Image: MLB.com
Minnesota surrendered closer-caliber reliever Jhoan Duran and versatile outfielder Harrison Bader to the Phillies’ persistent pursuit. Duran brings elite velocity and swing-and-miss stuff to anchor Philadelphia’s late innings, while Bader adds championship experience and defensive prowess to their outfield mix. Both players suit up immediately as the Phillies host Detroit for a three-game series starting August 1 at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia capped their deadline spree by snatching right-hander Matt Manning from Detroit in exchange for 18-year-old outfielder Josueth Quiñonez. Manning, who started 50 games over four seasons with the Tigers before landing at Triple-A Toledo, heads to Single-A Clearwater to rebuild his value within Philadelphia’s system. Well, you know what this aggressive roster management suggests about their internal evaluations, too.
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