PHOENIX — Welcome to the Cactus League, Gary Sánchez.

Meet Luis Castillo.

Sánchez had been delayed because of a right hand injury, but it was hard to tell in his Spring Training debut against Seattle’s Castillo, one of the best pitchers in the American League.

Sánchez got one hit in three at-bats, two against Castillo, grounding a single to left field in the first inning before fouling out in the third in the Brewers’ 7-5 loss to the Mariners at American Family Fields of Phoenix.

“He’s a tremendous pitcher,” catcher Sánchez said through interpreter Daniel de Mondesert. “That was actually the first time I have ever faced him. It’s obviously a little different in Spring Training than in season. We know what kind of caliber pitcher he is. It just felt good to be out there. Happy to be out there and make contact.”

Sánchez reported to camp Feb. 22 after signing a one-year, $7 million contract with a 2025 option, an addition that was delayed by a January hand issue.

He is expected to serve as a complement to starting catcher William Contreras, and both are designated hitter options when they are not behind the plate.

Sánchez, who served as the DH Saturday, said his role has not been defined.

“As of right now, they haven’t told me anything about playing time,” he said. “My job is to be ready and to be ready for whatever the team needs, and that’s what we are working for.”

First baseman Rhys Hoskins welcomed Sánchez's addition.

“It’s just another presence, right?” Hoskins said. ”He’s been an offensive threat as soon as he stepped in this game, somebody to be able to keep William a little bit fresher throughout the year. I think it is going to pay dividends when it is time to really, really win games.”

The Brewers begin the regular season on March 28 against the Mets, but Sánchez is not looking that far ahead.

“We’re taking it day by day,” he said. “That’s not exactly what I’m thinking about when I’m out there. There are plenty of games left in Spring Training. The most important thing is to be healthy, really just focused on that.”

Sánchez has been catching in simulated games on the back fields, and receiving has not been an issue.

“Everything is feeling good and continues to feel good,” Sánchez said. “Now we’re getting some game reps. Kind of going at the pace they want, and that’s most important.”

Star Power Face-off II
Presumed Opening Day starter Freddy Peralta and Seattle's 30/30 center fielder Julio Rodríguez met twice. Each came out ahead once.

Peralta struck out Rodríguez with a slider in the first inning, but hung a changeup that Rodríguez hit for a three-run homer in the second.

“I executed,” Peralta said of the first plate appearance. “In the second AB, that pitch, I didn’t execute. It’s a situation that I’m going to have during the season, and I’d rather have it now.”

Peralta was charged with five runs and seven hits over 2 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts, although windy conditions turned a fly ball into a double in the first inning.

“The result, I cannot control it, but I'm not making excuses,” Peralta said. “I felt good again, strong, ready to keep going. There are some little things in the game that happened that shouldn’t happen, but I cannot control that.”