Heading into the Philadelphia Phillies’s game against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, manager Rob Thomson said Cristopher Sánchez was fine. Pitching coach Caleb Cotham said he was fine. Sánchez himself said he felt fine.

But after the tall, lanky lefty left his start last Tuesday with forearm tightness, there were probably many Phillies fans who were waiting to see how he responded in this start at Citizens Bank Park before fully relaxing.

Sánchez came out of the gate firing. His velocity was equal to his season average, topping out at 97.3 mph with his sinker. He looked like himself over the first two innings as he pitched around a couple of base hits, striking out the side in the second.

The only hiccup was some issues with command that began in the third. He allowed a pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch, with a Nathaniel Lowe double driving in the Nationals’ first run. He needed 26 pitches in the inning, but that didn’t stop him from getting through the fifth inning.

Sánchez finished with 87 pitches over his five innings of work. He gave up five hits and two runs, while striking out six and walking three batters. He generated a game-high 13 whiffs.

Cristopher Sánchez felt fine after his successful return for the Phillies

For fans who were curious how he felt after the game, Sánchez gave the all clear following the Phillies’ relatively normal 7-2 win, per Anthony SanFilippo of On Pattison.

“I went out and competed and did the best I can do and attacked the zone like I always do,” Sánchez said, per SanFilippo. “I feel fine.”

It’s a huge relief after his ominous exit after two uncharacteristic innings against the New York Mets at Citi Field last week. The win moves Sanchez’s record to 3-1 on the season, with a 3.45 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings.

The Phillies boast one of the most talented and deepest starting rotations in the league, and have avoided serious injury thus far. Left-hander Ranger Suárez is ready to rejoin the starting five this weekend after recovering from back soreness in the spring. They’re even having to ponder whether to employ a six-man rotation thanks to Taijuan Walker looking like a fifth starter again after a forgettable 2024.

As The Athletic’s Matt Gelb writes, it’s highly unlikely that they use the six-man rotation (subscription required) this early in the season, but you never know. Either way, the Phillies will have to make room on the active roster and option or DFA one of the bullpen arms this weekend.