Overview
- Cristopher Sánchez was officially named Opening Day starter against the Rangers on March 26 at Citizens Bank Park.
- Aaron Nola, Jesús Luzardo, Taijuan Walker and Andrew Painter will follow in that order to open the season.
- Top prospect Andrew Painter made the roster and is slated for his MLB debut on March 31 against the Nationals.
- Manager Rob Thomson confirmed he informed Sánchez of the assignment and spaced Nola between the two left-handers to vary looks for opponents.
- Sánchez enters off a 2025 breakout (13-5, 2.50 ERA, NL Cy Young runner-up) and becomes the franchise’s third Opening Day starter born outside the U.S., while Wheeler continues rehab with a minor-league outing scheduled Monday.