Tigers Option Sanchez To Triple-A Toledo After He Gives Consent

In a corresponding move, the Tigers called up right-handed reliever Warwick Saupold from Toledo. Warwick Saupold has been recalled to take Sanchez's place as a long man in the Tigers' bullpen.

Since the 2013 season when he led the American League in ERA and home runs allowed per nine innings (giving up just nine in 182 innings), Sanchez has seen his ERA rise each season. Sanchez went 2-1 with a 4.56 ERA in three starts and seven appearances, while Boyd put together a 3-1 mark with a 2.10 ERA in six starts and seven appearances. Then a year ago, he went 7-13 and his ERA ballooned to 5.87, making the Tigers have to remove him from the rotation and put him in the bullpen. However, since then he has been on the complete other end of the spectrum, allowing 1.85 home runs per nine innings, which ranks at the very bottom among all qualified pitchers.

Sanchez has struggled mightily this season out of the Tigers bullpen, posting a 9.00 ERA and a 2.048 WHIP over 11 appearances. He arrived in Detroit midway through the 2012 year from the Florida Marlins ahead of the team's run to the World Series and has not made 30 starts in a season since.

Since Sanchez has earned the respect of his teammates and the front office, any major move like this was likely to have been run by him first, as noted by Jason Beck. The right-hander allowed at least one home run in each of those seven outings.

Sanchez is making $16.8 million this season, and $16 million next year with a $5 million buyout.

The righty will make his first appearance in four year in the minors on Tuesday, Fenech said.