Tigers plan to skip Sanchez’s start
Anibal Sanchez insisted he’s not worried about missing his turn in the Detroit rotation, saying he simply needs some rest.
The Tigers are skipping Sanchez’s next start and plan to pitch Jose Alvarez in his place Sunday against the Indians.
Sanchez said there’s tightness in the back of his right shoulder.
“It happened one time last year in the first inning of spring training,” he said. “I just missed one start.”
Tigers trainer Kevin Rand said on Saturday it was the prudent decision to sit Sanchez because he didn’t recover well from his previous outing and it’s early in the season, and Sanchez agreed. “I just need to take care of it,” Sanchez said. “It’s early.” The right-hander won his last start on June 4 against Tampa Bay, giving up one run in seven innings. He is 6-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 12 starts, which includes a one-hitter May 24 against Minnesota and a 17-strikeout performance a month earlier against Atlanta.
ASTROS CLAIM LEBLANC OFF WAIVERS FROM MARLINS
The Astros claimed left-hander Wade LeBlanc off waivers from the Marlins on Saturday and expect to use him out of the bullpen to provide depth in long relief.
LeBlanc plans to join the team in time for Sunday’s series finale in Kansas City, at which point the Astros will make a corresponding roster move.
LeBlanc went 1-5 with a 5.18 ERA in seven starts for the Marlins this season. He’s 20-32 with a 4.47 ERA in six major league seasons spent with San Diego and Miami.
Astros manager Bo Porter said he’s familiar with former second-round pick going back to LeBlanc’s days with the Padres. His best season was in 2010, when he was 8-12 with a 4.25 ERA.
ORIOLES REINSTATE STROP FROM DL
The Orioles reinstated reliever Pedro Strop from the 15-day disabled list.
Strop, a former RedHawk, had been sidelined since May 24 because of a lower back strain.
Strop rejoined the team for Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay. Manager Buck Showalter said Strop is physically ready to go.
To make room on the roster for Strop, Baltimore optioned left-hander Mike Belfiore to Triple-A Norfolk after Friday night’s 2-1 loss to the Rays.
Showalter said second baseman Brian Roberts will likely remain with the team to continue his rehab program for a right hamstring injury. Roberts, who hopes to return before the All-Star break next month, has been working out at the Orioles’ complex in Sarasota, Fla.
VENTURA RETURNS TO MANAGE WHITE SOX
Robin Ventura was back managing the White Sox on Saturday after missing two games to attend his daughter’s high school graduation in California.
Ventura, a former Oklahoma State standout, was on the bench for Saturday’s game against Oakland.
Bench coach Mark Parent managed the team Thursday against the Athletics before leaving to attend his son’s graduation, and pitching coach Don Cooper filled in on Friday.
PIRATES’ COLE TO MAKE MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT
Gerrit Cole, the No. 1 overall selection by Pittsburgh in the 2011 draft, will make his major league debut Tuesday night when the Pirates host Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants.
The 22-year-old right-hander was 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts with Triple-A Indianapolis. He made his last start on Wednesday against Durham and pitched seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory. Cole did not give up a run in his last two starts spanning 14 innings with Indianapolis.
Ranked as the organization’s No. 1 prospect by Baseball America, and 12th in all of minor league baseball, Cole went 9-7 with a 2.80 ERA in 26 starts last season during his first year of professional baseball. He participated in the MLB All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City while also being named to the Florida State League mid-season All-Star team.
STRASBURG THROWS IN BULLPEN, HARPER’S KNEE BETTER
Nationals manager Davey Johnson says star pitcher Stephen Strasburg has done well in a bullpen session.
The injured right-hander threw Saturday before the Nationals played Minnesota. Strasburg is on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained muscle in his back.
Johnson said Strasburg is scheduled throw a simulated game Tuesday and is on track to come off the disabled list June 16 and start at Cleveland.
Johnson also said All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper reported that the swelling was down in his ailing left knee.
Harper will visit orthopedist James Andrews on Monday for a second opinion on the knee that has been troublesome ever since he ran into the wall at Dodger Stadium on May 13. He hasn’t played since May 26 and is eligible to come off the disabled list Tuesday.
YANKS’ 1ST-ROUNDER SORRY FOR PRE-DRAFT VIDEO CRACK
A high school pitcher taken by the Yankees in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft is apologizing for comments that barbed the team.
Ian Clarkin was picked Thursday night. Right after being chosen, MLB Network showed a video in which the 18year-old from California said he “cannot stand” the Yankees.
On a conference call Friday, Clarkin said he was sorry. He said the remarks were taken out of context and meant to tease his mother, a Yankees fan.
“First and foremost, I want to apologize to all the Yankee fans for my comments,” Clarkin said.
Clarkin was shown recalling his reaction to Arizona beating the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.
“I cannot stand the Yankees, so I was actually in tears, I was so happy,” Clarkin said on the video.
TIGERS DRAFT VERLANDER’S BROTHER
The Tigers drafted Justin Verlander’s brother. Detroit selected Old Dominion outfielder Ben Verlander in the 14th round of the Major League Baseball draft on Saturday.
The Tigers’ ace says his sibling earned it on his own, saying the franchise didn’t do him any favors with the choice.
Ben Verlander hit .367 with 11 homers and 37 RBIs as a junior last season.
His brother expects him to skip his senior year to take a shot at becoming a professional. Detroit drafted Ben Verlander in the 46th round three years ago out of high school, but he chose to go to college.
The Tigers selected Justin Verlander with the No. 2 overall pick in 2004 and he has become one of baseball’s best pitchers.