Christopher Sanchez appeared to be emerging as a breakout star following his dominant outing against the Giants last week. However, that momentum came to a halt at Citi Field during the Phillies’ 5-1 loss to the Mets, where he was forced to leave the game after just two innings due to soreness in his left forearm.
Sanchez threw 58 pitches in the outing but struggled with control—a stark contrast to his dominant performance just a week earlier. His sinker velocity dropped noticeably from an average of 95.9 MPH to 94.7, and his typically effective changeup wasn’t working as well.
While he did manage a strong sequence against Juan Soto, Sanchez didn’t resemble the same pitcher who dazzled in his last start.
Concern quickly spread among the Phillies and their fanbase, as forearm soreness can sometimes point to a more serious injury. The team hasn’t ruled out additional evaluations, including a potential MRI. Still, Sanchez remained composed when speaking to the media postgame.
“I feel normal right now,” he told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “The doctor looked at me, and I feel confident there’s nothing major to worry about.”
Despite his reassuring words, Sanchez’s availability going forward is still uncertain—posing a challenge for a Phillies rotation already stretched thin. Aaron Nola has been up and down, and Ranger Suarez has yet to make his season debut. If Sanchez ends up missing time, it could either extend Taijuan Walker’s role or pressure the team to accelerate Suarez’s return.
Joe Ross stepped up with three solid innings out of the bullpen, helping contain the damage, but the Phillies’ offense couldn’t find a rhythm.
Now, they’ll look to ace Zack Wheeler to help avoid a sweep at the hands of the Mets.
As the Phillies aim to stay in the mix early in the season, Sanchez’s health remains a key storyline. Any extended absence could significantly impact their rotation and playoff hopes. Following their latest loss, the Phillies sit four games behind the Mets in the NL East with a 13-11 record.
