Manager Rob Thomson stated Cristopher Sánchez was fine before the Philadelphia Phillies’ game against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Pitching coach Caleb Cotham stated that he was alright. Sánchez said he felt fine.

However, after the tall, lanky lefty was forced to leave his start last Tuesday due to forearm pain, many Phillies fans were likely waiting to see how he responded in this start at Citizens Bank Park before totally relaxing.

Sánchez came out of the gate shooting. His sinker reached a maximum speed of 97.3 mph, matching his season average velocity. He looked like himself in the first two innings, allowing only a couple of base hits and striking out the side in the second.

The lone glitch came from some command difficulties that occurred in the third. He issued two walks and a hit-by-pitch, with Nathaniel Lowe’s double scoring the Nationals’ first run. He needed 26 pitches in the inning, but he still made it through the fifth.

Sánchez ended with 87 pitches in five innings of work. He allowed five hits and two runs, striking out six and walking three hitters. He recorded a game-high 13 whiffs.

Cristopher Sánchez felt fine after his successful return for the Phillies

According to Anthony SanFilippo of On Pattison, Sánchez gave fans the all-clear after the Phillies’ rather regular 7-2 victory.

“I went out and competed, did my best, and attacked the zone like I always do,” Sánchez told SanFilippo. “I feel fine.”

It’s a tremendous relief given his dreadful exit after two unusual innings against the New York Mets at Citi Field last week. Sanchez improves to 3-1 on the season, with a 3.45 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings.

The Phillies have one of the league’s most talented and deep starting rotations, and they have avoided major injuries thus far. Ranger Suárez, a left-hander, is ready to return the starting lineup this weekend after recovering from back problems in the spring. They’re even considering a six-man rotation now that Taijuan Walker appears to be a fifth starter after a forgettable 2024.

According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, it’s exceedingly improbable that they’ll use the six-man rotation (subscription required) this early in the season, but anything can happen. In either case, the Phillies will need to clear space on the active roster by optioning or DFAing one of their bullpen guys this weekend.