Anibal Sanchez to make next scheduled start, will face Indians Saturday

Anibal Sanchez may have been pulled early from his minor league rehab start Monday night, but that has not derailed his return from the 15-day disabled list on schedule.

Jim Leyland confirmed this afternoon Sanchez will make his next scheduled start for the Detroit Tigers, pitching against the Indians in Cleveland on Saturday. There's been no word as to what roster move will be made when Sanchez rejoins the team this weekend. Throwing a monkey wrench into the situation is the status of Rick Porcello, who has a six game suspension hanging over his head, pending appeal.

Sanchez made an early exit from his one rehab start after being hit in the left leg by a line drive while pitching for Single-A Lakeland. Scheduled to throw 60 pitches, Sanchez left the game after 1 2/3 innings as a precaution. The Tigers have apparently deemed there was no reason for Sanchez to make another rehab appearance and is ready to face big league bats.

Sanchez was placed on the DL June 16 with a strained right shoulder. Up to that point, Sanchez was having an excellent season, posting a 6-5 record with a 2.76 ERA and a K/9 rate of 11.1. Sanchez set a Tigers franchise record with a 17 strikeout performance against the Braves on April 26 and no-hit the Twins for 8 1/3 innings on May 24.

Called up to take Sanchez's spot in the rotation, Jose Alvarez has been unimpressive in his last two appearances. In two starts since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo, Alvarez has allowed eight earned runs in 8 2/3 innings, losing both. For the season, Alvarez is 1-2, 5.03.

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