ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Detroit Tigers have removed struggling 11-year veteran Anibal Sanchez from the rotation.
Manager Brad Ausmus said Wednesday he was making the move after the right-hander allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks Tuesday to the Angels.
The 32-year-old Sanchez is 3-6 with a 6.67 ERA and has surrendered a baseball-high 14 home runs. The Tigers temporarily had six starters in their rotation, so there is no corresponding move to fill Sanchez’s spot.
Sanchez has made 232 appearances in his major-league career, all but two as a starter.
"I’ll be back," Sanchez said. "I’m healthy. I’ll do what I can control to be back in the rotation."
Ausmus said for now he will use Sanchez in low-stress situations to help the pitcher regain his form. Ausmus said returning Sanchez to the rotation is always a possibility.
"He definitely could work his way back into the rotation," Ausmus said. "That’s what I told him. We want him to get himself right (in the rotation) or become a valuable part of the bullpen."
The Tigers also made a bullpen move prior to a game against the Angels on Wednesday. Right-handed reliever Warwick Saupold, who strained his right groin covering first Tuesday, was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and right-hander Bobby Parnell was called up from Triple-A Toledo.
Parnell is a former closer who spent parts of the past eight seasons with the Mets. He had no record in 21 appearances at Toledo, with four saves and a 3.98 ERA.
To make room for Parnell on the 40-man roster, the Tigers designated for assignment minor league right-hander Jose Valdez.
