NEW YORK — The first pitch Cristopher Sánchez threw Tuesday night registered at 93.7 mph, something of a red flag considering Sánchez’s sinker has sat at 96 mph all season. He labored through a 31-pitch first inning, then another 27 pitches in the second inning, including a sinker at 92 mph.
That was the end of his night.
Sánchez had soreness in his left forearm, the Phillies later said, and the club’s medical staff will further evaluate him. It’s an ominous development for the ascendant lefty who was one start removed from a career-high 12 strikeouts.
The 28-year-old Dominican pitcher was an All-Star in 2024 and signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal that takes him through 2028. Sánchez had a 2.96 ERA in his first four starts this season while featuring one of the better changeups in the sport. He added muscle in the offseason with the goal of reaching 200 innings while throwing harder. Nothing until Tuesday suggested he could not do it.
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Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham made a mound visit in each of the first two innings. Sánchez fired 96 mph four times, but his average fastball velocity was more than 1 mph below his season average.
If needed, the Phillies have a replacement primed. Ranger Suárez, continuing his minor-league rehab tour for back soreness, tossed five scoreless innings Tuesday night at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He threw 59 pitches. The Phillies had planned for Suárez to make another Triple-A start Sunday to build his pitch count.
Now, his next start could come in the majors.
(Photo: Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)
