ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez is headed to the Detroit Tigers' bullpen.
Manager Brad Ausmus announced the move in Wednesday's pregame press briefing, a decision that was ultimately made following another poor performance in Tuesday's 11-9 loss in which Sanchez lasted only three innings and surrendered six runs to the Angels.
Ausmus said that he informed the 32-year-old right-hander of the decision when Sanchez arrived to the ballpark on Wednesday. The team is still leaving the door open for Sanchez to potentially return to the rotation should he improve, but at this point, they are not guaranteeing he will earn his spot back.
"He definitely could work his way back into the starting rotation, and that's exactly what I told him," Ausmus said. "Right now, there's nothing promised. If people in the rotation are pitching well, they're going to stay there. Hopefully, he can get himself right or become a valuable member of our bullpen."
Sanchez, whom Ausmus described as "disappointed" upon hearing the news, vowed to get his job back when asked about the decision on Wednesday.
"I'm a strong man and I'm going to work to be back," Sanchez said.
Though Sanchez has had limited experience pitching out of the bullpen -- during the 2014 season while working his way back from injury -- he described this as a different "process."
"Now, I need to work for something, and I'm ready for it," Sanchez said. "I'm healthy. That's the important thing right now. My head is going to be up, and I will do what I can to be back in the rotation."
Sanchez, who is 3-6 with a career-high 6.67 ERA and 14 home runs in 11 starts this season, said he wasn't angry when informed of the decision. He is, however, motivated.
"I know what I need to work for, and I want it back," Sanchez said. "I want to and I'm going to be back on the spot."
As of now, the Tigers have six starting pitchers on the active roster, with Matt Boyd filling a vacancy as Jordan Zimmermann works his way back from a groin injury. Zimmermann will start on Friday against the Chicago White Sox. Additionally, Shane Greene is nearing his return after spending more than a month on the disabled list with a blistered middle finger. When he is activated, a corresponding roster move will have to be made.
In the meantime, the Tigers will hope that Sanchez can rectify whatever issues have been ailing him this season -- whether they are mechanical, mental or a combination of both. Ausmus said he plans on using Sanchez in low-stress situations, at least at first, to enable the right-hander to work on his pitches and getting outs.
"He just wants to get back to where he's pitched like he has pitched in the past," Ausmus said.
