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Detroit Tigers: Anibal Sanchez Complicating Fifth Starter Decision

By Brad Faber

Mar 20, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) throws a pitch during the first inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) throws a pitch during the first inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez pitched six no-hit innings in his most recent Spring Training start.

Not so long ago, it appeared that Detroit Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez might very well be headed for a bullpen job in 2017. After winning the AL ERA title in 2013 and having another nice campaign the following year, Sanchez has posted a 5.42 ERA throughout 310.1 innings of work over the past two seasons.

When Sanchez got off to a rocky start in Spring Training of this year, some began to wonder if the Tigers might even entertain the thought of releasing him. The right-hander is due $16.8 million for the 2017 season and has a $16 million team option with a $5 million buyout for 2018, per Baseball-Reference. The Tigers would have been paying him $21.8 million to walk away.

Thankfully for Detroit, Sanchez has begun making a remarkable turnaround. On Saturday afternoon, Sanchez pitched six no-hit innings in the Tigers’ 5-4 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He allowed only one walk and struck out six.

Sanchez has not been scored upon over his past 14 innings of work. Spring Training stats mean little to some, but it is certainly an encouraging sign for the Tigers that Sanchez has pitched as well as he has.

According to Scott DeCamp of MLive, Sanchez has worked with pitching coach Rich Dubee. He made a slight mechanical tweak prior to going on his recent run of success. While the change has clearly paid off, it has also left the Tigers with a tough decision.

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Sanchez vs. Boyd

Going into Spring Training, the Tigers had three locks for their rotation in Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer and Jordan Zimmermann. Sanchez was expected to battle Mike Pelfrey and Matt Boyd for one of the final spots in the rotation. Daniel Norris was believed to have a leg up and will likely be the Tigers’ fourth stater.

It now looks as though Pelfrey is most likely out of the running for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Boyd, on the other hand, has pitched very well this spring.

Over six games (five starts), Boyd has gone 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. By every estimation, the left-hander has certainly pitched well enough to earn a spot in the rotation. Recently, some have even considered him to be a near-lock for the fifth starter job.

Boyd was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays along with Norris and prospect Jairo Labourt in the David Price deal during the summer of 2015. Boyd pitched well for the Tigers last season as well, although the numbers may not necessarily show it (6-5, 4.53 ERA).

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Boyd is very deserving of a rotation spot and may still very well get one. If the Tigers end up going with Boyd as their fifth starter, it would send Sanchez to the bullpen. If Sanchez becomes the No. 5 starter, it appears likely that Boyd might have to start the season in Triple-A as an insurance policy.

Either way, the decision is likely much tougher now than it was just a couple of weeks ago. With Opening Day just a week from Monday, it should be very interesting to see what manager Brad Ausmus decides.

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