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Will Anibal Sanchez remain in the Tigers’ rotation?
- Updated: June 1, 2016
3:48 AM ET
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Detroit Tigers almost pulled off the type of comeback that could have acted as a temporary salve on some of the club’s festering wounds, but any such hopes were dashed with a walkoff home run in the ninth inning that saddled the Tigers with an 11-9 loss — their fourth straight defeat — and some sobering realities to face.
Chief among them is the fact that Anibal Sanchez has become a liability on the mound, evidenced by another abysmal performance Tuesday night in which he lasted only three innings and served up what amounted to batting practice for the Los Angeles Angels.
It was not only the six runs — including three homers — he surrendered over the span of 64 pitches; it was the palpable feeling that this is a pitcher who is desperately searching for traction, some sort of mental foothold, and is failing.
“I don’t think he’s real confident on the mound right now,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “We’re going to have to make an adjustment with [Sanchez], something’s gotta be done, because we need better starts than that.”
Ausmus and the Tigers now face a choice: Does Sanchez remain in the starting rotation, or is it time for someone else to occupy his spot?
“Obviously, I wouldn’t discuss that here,” Ausmus said, repeatedly declining to elaborate further and growing cagey when pressed about the team’s plans.
The choice should not be a difficult one. Sanchez even admitted that the way he’s pitching right now was “not competitive.” Plus, the Tigers have the luxury of options, with six …
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