Philly Leader

The Phillies are facing a challenging period with injuries and performance issues, but there is a positive outlook regarding Cristopher Sánchez's sore left forearm. The team believes that the injury is not severe.

As of Wednesday, the Phillies had lost nine of their last 15 games. Their offense has been struggling, the bullpen has had difficulty securing outs, and Aaron Nola has not yet secured a win this season. Sánchez left Tuesday’s game due to arm discomfort but felt well enough to consider playing before the series finale against the Mets. The Phillies plan for him to start throwing again on Friday at Wrigley Field and hope he can take the mound in the following week.

“He feels good, the trainer feels good about it,” Phillies president Dave Dombrowski stated. “We’ll wait to see, but right now, I feel very comfortable that he looks like he’s OK." Dombrowski mentioned that Sánchez underwent a structural check that revealed no significant issues. No MRI is currently scheduled.

Meanwhile, Ranger Suárez is preparing to make what should be his last rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Upon activation from the injured list, Suárez is expected to return to the rotation, with no plans for a bullpen role, as Dombrowski reiterated.

Suárez’s return might fill Sánchez’s spot temporarily if the latter requires more time to recover. Alternatively, he could replace Taijuan Walker, who has been performing well.

Currently, the Phillies are unlikely to adopt a six-man rotation, despite the bullpen's struggles, which include a 5.70 ERA, ranking near the bottom in the league. Dombrowski emphasized the importance of balancing performance and patience. He noted ongoing discussions about bullpen performance but did not express excessive concern unless there's a noticeable drop in the relievers' effectiveness.

In efforts to strengthen their bullpen, the team has shifted No. 12 prospect Seth Johnson to a relief role, banking on his fastball-slider combo. “You’re always prepared for what you’re going to do next,” said Dombrowski.

Fans have speculated on the offseason decisions regarding relievers Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez, both of whom joined other teams. Hoffman signed with the Blue Jays for three years and $33 million. Dombrowski indicated that the Phillies pursued Hoffman but ultimately found their offer insufficient to meet his expectations.

As the trade deadline approaches, further changes might occur, either through acquisitions or promotions from the minors like Johnson. In the meantime, the Phillies need improvements in pitching and batting to turn recent struggles around.

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