Phillies hope Sánchez injury isn’t serious: ‘I feel positive’

NEW YORK – The Phillies are hoping that it’s just a scare. 

Starter Cristopher Sánchez left Tuesday’s 5-1 loss against the New York Mets after just two innings with left forearm soreness. His average sinker velocity was down 1.4 mph. His changeup wasn’t as sharp. Sánchez, catcher J.T. Realmuto and pitching coach Caleb Cotham all agreed that he looked a little off coming out of the bullpen. He gave up two runs on two hits and walked two. Cotham had to burn two mound visits in the first two innings.

Manager Rob Thomson became aware that there was an issue after the second inning. When Sánchez is asked if he is feeling good, he typically verbalizes a response. This time, he nodded. Thomson asked to tell him what was wrong. Sánchez said his forearm felt a little tight. He has not experienced this kind of soreness during a game in his career. 

His night continued inside. Sánchez was checked out by the doctor. He completed movement exercises in the training room. They are not sure if Sánchez needs an MRI. They will know more tomorrow, but they are not expecting there to be any structural damage.

For now, the Phillies are projecting optimism. 

“I feel positive that we’re not going to have to be worrying about this,” Sánchez said. 

“After talking to him after the game, I’m not as concerned as I was when he came out,” Realmuto said. “Obviously, it’s a really scary spot for a pitcher. But he seems to be doing all right. Structurally, he seems to be in good shape.” 

The idea of losing Sánchez for any period of time is a terrifying thought for the Phillies. 

“He’s one of the best pitchers in the National League,” Thomson said. “Other people would have to pick it up, but I’m not anticipating that.” 

If Sánchez misses his next start, Thomson said the Phillies could maneuver the rotation with off days coming up on Thursday and Monday. Sánchez’s next turn through the rotation is next Tuesday at home against the Washington Nationals. The Phillies could move Wednesday’s starter Zack Wheeler up and have him pitch on five days rest. The schedule makes skipping Sánchez’s next start relatively easy. The Phillies really want to see Ranger Suárez (low back stiffness) make one more rehab start on Sunday. He threw five innings for Lehigh Valley on Tuesday night, but was too efficient as he threw just 59 pitches.

A 2023 breakout starter, Sánchez was one of the best pitchers the following year. His 3.32 ERA over 181 2/3 innings earned him down ballot National League Cy Young Award votes. He has looked the part of a Cy Young favorite through his first four starts. He struck out 12 San Francisco Giants batters over seven innings in his last outing with a finger issue, Realmuto said. The catcher initially thought that may have been the issue. 

“What I was seeing in the bullpen kind of continued in those first couple of innings,” Realmuto said. “The fastball command wasn’t there. The stuff was a little different.” 

The bullpen kept the Phillies in the game after Sánchez’s departure. Joe Ross pitched three scoreless innings. Jordan Romano, after giving up six runs in his last outing on Saturday, kept the Mets off the board. Things began to unravel in the seventh. Orion Kerkering allowed an RBI double to Pete Alonso and a two-run single to Luis Torrens to make it 5-1.

“He’s just not making his pitches when he needs to,” Thomson said about Kerkering. “He threw some pitches out in the middle of the plate. That will be ironed out.” 

The Phillies’ inconsistent offense once again could not find the big hit. Realmuto’s second-inning double was the only extra-base hit of the game for Philadelphia. The Phillies have only three extra-base hits through two games against the Mets, with two coming in the four-run ninth inning on Monday night. 

“We’re not slugging right now,” Thomson said. “As I said last year, that will come.”