Anibal Sanchez exits start with pectoral injury
By Hayden Kane
The Detroit Tigers might have taken a significant hit to their starting rotation on Friday night, as Anibal Sanchez was forced to exit his start prematurely with an injury.
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According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, Sanchez hurt his right pectoral and had to exit in the fifth inning of his start against the Toronto Blue Jays.
"Sanchez, who missed three weeks earlier this season with a lacerated finger on his right hand, seemed to be grabbing at a muscle under his right arm Friday after teammates called Ausmus and head athletic trainer Kevin Rand to the mound. Sanchez tried to stretch it loose, but his reaction to his warmup showed no hope it was going to cooperate and he left with a right pectoral strain."
The followup news for the Tigers still leaves things very much up in the air, as passed along by James Schmehl:
Anibal Sanchez is returning to Detroit. He will undergo MRI exam Saturday to determine severity of right pectoral muscle strain.
— James Schmehl (@jamesschmehl) August 9, 2014
When the Tigers traded for David Price at the July 31st deadline, it was presented by many as an addition to a rotation that already boasted studs like Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. The truth of the matter, however, is that the other stud besides Scherzer has been Sanchez and his 3.37 ERA through 20 starts.
The Tigers will hope for continued improvement from Verlander, who has come on strong lately, as well as some good news when it comes to Sanchez’s status as they prep for the stretch run of the regular season.