Overview
- Major League Baseball announced Sánchez will start March 26 at Citizens Bank Park against the Rangers.
- The Phillies will open the season with a rotation of Sánchez, Aaron Nola, Jesús Luzardo, Taijuan Walker and Andrew Painter.
- Manager Rob Thomson placed Nola between left-handers Sánchez and Luzardo to vary looks for opposing hitters.
- Zack Wheeler remains out as he recovers from thoracic outlet decompression surgery following a 2025 blood clot.
- Painter is slated for his MLB debut on March 31 against the Nationals, and Sánchez enters off a 2025 season with a 2.50 ERA and NL Cy Young runner-up finish, powered by a Statcast-rated elite changeup.