Anibal Sanchez

Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) resumes throwing

Detroit Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) played catch on Tuesday.

What It Means:

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus noted that Sanchez wasn't in any pain, but his throwing session was just "OK." There remains no timetable for Sanchez's return to the rotation, but this is the first step. He's been on the shelf since mid-August with a right rotator cuff strain. With Detroit playing out the string over the final month, the Tigers have little reason to rush him back.

Sanchez had been struggling this season, posting a 3.99 xFIP in his 25 starts. Prior to that, Sanchez had finished his previous four seasons with xFIP's of 3.60 or lower. Sanchez will be entering his age-32 season in 2016.