Phillies takeaways: Justin Crawford's walk-off, ABS strategy and Wheeler update

Justin Crawford delivered a 10th-inning walk-off single to lift the Phillies 6-5, and the team says Zack Wheeler will make rehab starts in Durham as he progresses toward a possible mid‑April return.

The Phillies celebrated a 10th-inning walk-off single by 21-year-old Justin Crawford, who is less than a week into his big-league career. The hit capped a 6-5 win over the Nationals and followed Andrew Painter's strong major-league debut the previous day. The club is also testing new strategies around ABS challenges after spring training and early-season play. Meanwhile, reliever Matt Kerkering and starter Zack Wheeler are progressing on rehab assignments with scheduled minor-league activity. Key points: - Justin Crawford, 21, delivered a walk-off single that slipped past the Nationals' second baseman and gave Philadelphia a 6-5 win in 10 innings. - Crawford went 3-for-5 in the game and has shown the ability to hit to the opposite field; his early-season OPS among regulars was noted in the article but reported as a small-sample observation. - The Phillies have used ABS challenges 11 times this season, with six calls overturned and five upheld, and catcher J.T. Realmuto was reported as 3-for-3 on challenges in regular-season play. - Cristopher Sánchez said he will stop challenging after a close call on Wednesday; manager Rob Thomson described using challenges mainly in counts that can change an at-bat. - Zack Wheeler is scheduled to travel to Durham for a rehab start within a couple of days and then pitch at Triple-A Lehigh Valley the following week; the team has not yet decided if he will make a fourth rehab start. Summary: Young players made notable contributions early in the homestand, with Crawford's walk-off following Andrew Painter's debut. The club is refining ABS challenge strategy after spring training and early games, and several pitchers are on track with rehab starts. If Wheeler completes a shortened rehab plan, the article reports he could rejoin the rotation around the April 13-15 series against the Chicago Cubs; activation timing for others was described as dependent on upcoming outings.