NewsSanchez back from Minors to face Brewers
Florida (24-28) vs. Milwaukee (30-21), 7:10 p.m. ET
By David Villavicencio / MLB.com
06/02/09 1:37 AM ET
MIAMI -- Anibal Sanchez will be back on the mound for the Marlins for the first time in almost a month. The right-hander last pitched in the Major Leagues on May 7, when he left the game in the fifth inning with right shoulder discomfort. Sanchez had a dejected look on his face as he walked off the field, but he did not let the feeling linger. "I wasn't sad," Sanchez said of his early exit. "The next day I had to prepare and work to get back here and now I'm here." Sanchez will be officially activated off the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, and, in order to make room on the 25-man roster, the Marlins optioned right-hander Cristhian Martinez to Double-A Jacksonville after Monday's game. Martinez earned his first Major League win on Monday night. Third-string catcher Brett Hayes was also sent down -- to Triple-A New Orleans -- but his replacement won't be announced until Tuesday. With the constant shuffling of starters the Marlins have had to deal with in the past few weeks, manager Fredi Gonzalez is happy to have Sanchez back in the rotation. "When he got hurt, we were all thinking worst case scenario," Gonzalez said. "After looking at MRIs, we saw he wasn't as bad as we thought he was. He's had every obstacle thrown at him with the rehab games and the [simulated] games. Now he's got the opportunity to do it here." His teammates are excited about the 25-year-old's return, too. "Anytime we've got Anibal out there we know we have a chance to win," second baseman Dan Uggla said. "We didn't know how long he was going to be out or if he would be back before the end of the year. To have him back this soon, we're all just as happy as we can be." Sanchez did not expect his quick return from injury either, but his performance in a rehab start for the Jupiter Hammerheads on May 28 showed signs that the four-year veteran is fully healthy. "I didn't know I was going to be back really soon like this," he said. "I did good. I threw a couple innings [with Class A Jupiter]. I'm OK. I'm just going to take the ball and do my job." Sanchez threw three scoreless innings for Jupiter before rain ended his outing early. His fastball was consistently in the 90s and he reported no discomfort afterward. Some pitchers may worry about re-injury upon their return to the mound, but Sanchez is excited about the opportunity to get back to work. "I'm not nervous about it," Sanchez said. "I just have to do my job. I don't want to get hurt again but I don't get nervous about it because I can't control it. After two surgeries, I don't think if I'm back or not. I just go to the mound and do my job." Pitching matchupFLA: RHP Anibal Sanchez (1-4, 5.79 ERA)
The Marlins are going with Sanchez to fill the open spot in the rotation. Sanchez, who had right rotator cuff surgery in 2007, suffered a scare while pitching in Atlanta on May 7. But after leaving that game with shoulder pain after 4 2/3 innings, reports came back fairly positive for the 25-year-old. Sanchez then pitched a rehab game for Class A Jupiter on Thursday and feels he's ready to get back at it. Gonzalez expects Sanchez to throw 75-80 pitches. MIL: LHP Manny Parra (3-6, 5.57 ERA)
Parra suffered his second consecutive loss Wednesday against St. Louis, giving up three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings in a 3-2 Milwaukee loss. He also finished with six strikeouts, but walked six while throwing 108 pitches. Parra avoided the big innings that plagued him in his previous start against Minnesota, giving up just one run in the first, third and sixth innings, but failed to get any run support. In two career starts against the Marlins, including a May 12 win at Miller Park, Parra has a 3.97 ERA. Tidbits
Ricky Nolasco has been successful in his two starts for Triple-A New Orleans. The right-hander allowed one run on six hits over seven innings on June 1. He appears to be regaining the form that allowed him to win 15 games in 2008. The Marlins will need a starter on June 7, and Nolasco could be a candidate to get the ball against Giants. ... Alfredo Amezaga does not know when he will begin his rehab assignment. He has been out since May 17 with a left knee contusion. ... Sanchez has had success against the current crop of Brewers, holding them to a .161 batting average. Slugger Prince Fielder is 1-for-9 against the right-hander. ... Hanley Ramirez scored his 400th career run in the first inning Monday on a Jorge Cantu RBI single. Ramirez ranks sixth on the all-time Marlins runs list, 22 behind Derrek Lee. ... The Marlins' current 11-game homestand is the team's longest since 2006, when they also hosted 11 straight. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• FS-F HD On radio
• WAXY 790, WAQI 710 (Español) Up next
• Wednesday: Marlins (Sean West, 0-0, 2.25) vs. Brewers (Braden Looper, 5-3, 4.24), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Marlins (Josh Johnson, 4-1, 2.66) vs. Brewers (Dave Bush, 3-1, 4.38), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Marlins (TBD) vs. Giants (Barry Zito, 1-6, 4.02), 7:10 p.m. ET
David Villavicencio is an associate reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
