By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 

After Aaron Nola's first Spring Training start Sunday afternoon, rookie manager Gabe Kapler didn't waste any time telling the collective media that Nola will be the team's Opening Day starter. For his part, Nola didn't waste any time taking the advice that Kapler has preached to the team so far this spring: be bold.

Nola, who is coming off of a breakout season where he posted a 4.5 bWAR, says that he thinks the Phillies are past their rebuilding phase, and ready to start winning in 2018.

By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor

Veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova completed his buyout with the Hawks on Monday. Once he clears waivers on Wednesday, he's expected to sign with the Sixers. With the Sixers' roster at capacity, they'll need to release someone in order to make room for Ilyasova. While many would welcome the departure of a guy like Jerryd Bayless, he's under contract next year. Younger guys like Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Richaun Holmes hold some value and have cheap contracts in the coming year.

Roy Halladay will be one of two inductees to the Phillies Wall of Fame this summer. (Kevin Durso/SportsTalkPhilly)

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 

If there would have been voting on Philadelphia Phillies Wall of Fame candidates this year, the late Roy Halladay would have run away with the voting. So the Phillies aren't going to have voting this year, as they will instead induct Halladay and former general manager Pat Gillick onto the team's Wall of Fame.

Play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy noted on this afternoon's telecast the Phillies will induct the duo onto the Wall of Fame on Aug. 4, when the team hosts the Miami Marlins: 

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Even though he is six seasons removed since being the manager of the Philadephia Phillies, Charlie Manuel's presence can still be felt with the team, as he serves as senior advisory to general manager Matt Klentak. Manuel is still interacting with everyone in the organization, even Phillies senior quantitative analyst Alex Nakahara, who wore a team uniform Tuesday at camp.

Manuel joined Anthony Gargano on 97.5 The Fanatic Tuesday morning to discuss the latest happenings with the club, with spring training exhibition games getting underway last week. Among those discussed included new manager Gabe Kapler, 1B/LF Rhys Hoskins, 1B Carlos Santana, the club's infield, starting pitching and minor league talent, as well as Managing Partner John Middleton.

The 74-year-old former manager even compared top Phillies second base prospect Scott Kingery to the club's 2008 World Series-winning second baseman, saying he has "a little Chase Utley in him."

By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor

On Monday, a remodeling company out of Chester, Pennsylvania bought three billboards on Cleveland's main highway to try and help lure LeBron James to Philadelphia when he becomes a free agent this summer. The Sixers play the Cavaliers on Thursday, but the billboard discussion was brought up to James at Cleveland's practice on Tuesday. When asked, the 33-year-old simply said he was flattered.

By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor

After 14 seasons in the NFL, Philadelphia Eagles punter Donnie Jones is going out on top. The 37-year-old announced his retirement on Tuesday, closing out his career with a Super Bowl victory. Here's his statement from the Philadelphia Eagles:

“After 14 seasons in the NFL, I have decided to retire so that I can spend more time with my family,” said Jones. “I am grateful for all those who have supported me throughout the years. Specifically, I would like to thank Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, Doug Pederson, and the entire Eagles organization for allowing me to be a part of their family for the past five seasons. I will truly miss my teammates, coaches, friends, and the best fans in the NFL. Although I am retiring, I will always be an Eagle and will forever have a special place in my heart for the City of Philadelphia. It is a great honor to be a part of the first Super Bowl championship team in Eagles history and there is no better way to finish my career.”

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Behind RHP Jerad Eickhoff, the Philadelphia Phillies (1-3) will look to snap their two-game skid as they oppose RHP Mike Fiers and the Detroit Tigers (3-1) in a Tuesday matinee at Spectrum Field.

Odubel Herrera, who is nursing a sore right shoulder, will lead off as the designated hitter. Tommy Joseph will start in left field and bat behind cleanup hitter, first baseman Rhys Hoskins. Non-roster invitee Collin Cowgill (right field) and switch-hitting Roman Quinn (center field) will bat eighth and ninth to round out the lineup.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

What a journey it has been for the Flyers, as they have climbed from the depths of the division to reach the summit, at least for now.

A 1-0 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens coupled with Washington's 5-1 loss to Columbus moved the Flyers into first place in the Metropolitan Division as the Flyers finished off a dominant February on an all-time high note.

Let's hit it with our Postgame Review.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

When the Flyers went and acquired Petr Mrazek last Monday, this was the reason.

Mrazek turned in his best start in his young career with the Flyers, stopped 28 shots through 65 minutes and then another four in the shootout as the Flyers claimed a 1-0 win via the shootout over the Montreal Canadiens to climb into first place in the Metropolitan Division.

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Final: Yankees 4, Phillies 3 ❖ WP: Cody Carroll (1-0, 4.50 ERA) ❖ LP: Ranger Suarez (0-1, 13.50 ERA)

Despite a late, game-tying home run by second base prospect and non-roster invitee Scott Kingery, the Philadelphia Phillies (1-3) fell short against the New York Yankees (4-0) Monday evening at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Kingery provided heroic efforts in the ninth, with his game-tying, opposite field home run with two outs and a full count. Similar to Kingery's last-effort blast, Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar went yard in the bottom half with a two-out, walk-off home run against Phillies RHP Ranger Suarez. 

Phillies right-handers Ben Lively and non-roster invitee Tom Eshelman impressed in their spring debuts, allowing only one Yankees batter to reach base over the first four innings. Eshelman retired all six batters he opposed, including striking out first baseman Greg Bird and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton. Lively and southpaw Hoby Milner also struck out Stanton in the first and sixth innings, as Phillies pitchers limited the Yankees slugger to an 0-3 showing.

The Phillies offense produced nine total hits, opposed to the Yankees' six. Kingery went 3-3 in the game overall, while center fielder Aaron Altherr walked twice. First baseman Carlos Santana (sacrifice fly RBI) and catcher Jorge Alfaro (bases loaded hit-by-pitch) drove in the Phillies' other two runs.