CLEARWATER, Fla. - Sixto Sanchez, the Phillies' top pitching prospect, has been noticeably absent from game action in minor-league camp.
Joe Jordan, the Phillies' director of player development, says there's nothing to be alarmed about.
"He had the flu and he's over it now," Jordan said. "He's fine now. No issues. He's 100 percent."
Jordan said Sanchez got up to 30 pitches in a bullpen session this week.
"He let it go with all his pitches," Jordan said.
Jordan added that Sanchez would pitch in a game in the next few days. He added that Sanchez would open the season on time with the Clearwater club, though his innings will be watched at the outset until he's fully stretched out.
Sanchez, 19, is a power-armed right-hander with remarkable control. He went 5-7 with 3.03 ERA in 18 starts at Lakewood and Clearwater, both Single A affiliates, last season. He pitched 95 innings, struck out 84, walked 18 and had a WHIP of 0.958.
