Concerns for Sánchez After Exit from Game
NEW YORK — Following his 58th pitch on Tuesday night, Cristopher Sánchez did not take a direct route from the mound at Citi Field to the dugout. Instead, he detoured towards third base, entered the dugout from the opposite end, and headed directly down the steps to a secluded area.
Manager’s Involvement After Poor Performance
“Usually,” J.T. Realmuto noted, “we don’t need to discuss things because Sanchy’s pitching effectively.” However, Rob Thomson followed Sánchez into the dugout, joined by Realmuto. Sánchez struggled through two innings during a 5-1 loss for the Phillies against the New York Mets. Realmuto sensed trouble when he observed Sánchez warming up in the bullpen before the game. Though Sánchez assured him he was fine, it became clear that wasn’t the case.
Forearm Tightness Raises Worries
When Thomson inquired about his well-being, Sánchez typically responds affirmatively, saying, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m good.” This time, however, he simply nodded. After some prompting from his manager, Sánchez confessed to tightness in his left forearm, leading to his early exit from the game.
Uncertainty Surrounds Sánchez’s Condition
The Phillies have faced challenges in New York, but the potential loss of Sánchez poses a more serious concern. Notably, the emerging left-hander had recently achieved a career-high 12 strikeouts. The extent of his forearm soreness remains unclear, but both Thomson and Sánchez expressed optimism about avoiding a major injury. He was checked by a doctor and performed mobility exercises in the training room.
Potential Injuries and Game Impact
“I don’t anticipate any structural damage,” said Thomson, “but we’ll re-evaluate and know more in the next few days.” In response to questions about whether Sánchez would undergo an MRI, Thomson indicated that updates would come the following day. With two upcoming off days, the Phillies can adjust their rotation to allow Sánchez additional rest.
Pitching Performance Under Scrutiny
Even a minor arm injury could lead to the Phillies placing Sánchez on the injured list, given his critical role on the team. Sánchez remarked, “I don’t think it’s going to be a thing that we have to worry about,” through a team interpreter.
Looking Ahead
Sánchez’s first pitch registered at 93.7 mph, a concern given his typical sinker speed of 96 mph. While he struggled through 31 pitches in the first inning and another 27 in the second, he described feeling “uncomfortable” during warm-ups but did not initially consider it a physical issue. Realmuto also speculated that Sánchez might have been experiencing a recurring finger problem, which had not been reported by the team before. While there is short-term concern, the loss of Sánchez for an extended time would be detrimental to the Phillies’ chances, as noted by Thomson: “Well, he’s one of the best pitchers in the National League.”
