The Phillies made the first regular-season adjustment to their rotation Saturday, activating lefthander Cristopher Sanchez from the injured list to start against the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.
Last week’s rainout-forced doubleheader in Chicago created the need for a sixth starter.
The more significant pitching development, however, may have happened about three hours before Sanchez made his first pitch of what turned out to be a 4-3 Phillies win.
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SIGN UP HERE That’s when Ranger Suarez threw pregame live batting practice to Bryce Harper and Christian Pache, and as long as he doesn’t have any day-after setbacks will almost certainly begin a rehab assignment within the next few days.
“He looked good. Fastball was good. Velocity was good. Stuff was good. Threw strikes,” said manager Rob Thomson.
The 27-year-old lefthander, coming off his first full season as a starter, has been on the injured list with a strained elbow since spring training. He’s expected to make three or four rehab starts while building up to around 90 pitches.
“I feel that I’m very close. I feel ready, but we’ll see what they say,” Suarez said through interpreter Diego Ettedgui. I felt better than the last time. So that means I’m on the right track. The most important thing is to be healthy, and I think the more innings I throw the better it’s going to be for me. Because I’ll be more ready.”
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In the meantime, Sanchez gave up three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out five.
“He gave us exactly what we needed,” Thomson said. “I thought he was great. I think his stuff is trending up. He’s throwing strikes. Sinker is good. Started throwing the slider for strikes. Poise. Composure.”
Well, Sanchez also survived a fair amount of hard contact. But he showed enough to be on the team’s radar the next time a pitcher is needed.
“I felt very good,” Sanchez said through interpreter Diego Ettedgui. “We wanted to attack hitters early and go out there and compete.”
To make room for Sanchez on the roster, reliever Andrew Bellatti was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 21, with right triceps tendinitis. He’s struggled since opening the season with six straight scoreless appearances.
“They don’t think it’s much at all, really,” Thomson said. “They just want to knock it out. Make sure he’s healthy.”
The Phillies are expected to announce another roster move, possibly to send Sanchez to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he can continue to build arm strength
In other pitching news, Craig Kimbrel was brought in to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning instead of Jose Alvarado (0.96 ERA), who has gotten the bulk of the save opportunities so far this year. Thomson said Alvarado, who had pitched in three of the previous four games, was unavailable.