SIXTO SÁNCHEZ NEWS

Gets opportunity in Mexico Sanchez signed a one-year contract with Mexican League club Rieleros de Aguascalientes on Wednesday.

Impact Though he's still just 25 years old and was once one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Sanchez attracted little interest upon becoming a free agent in November, when the Marlins outrighted him off the 40-man roster following a six-year stint in the organization. Sanchez's career has been sidetracked by shoulder problems, as he missed nearly all of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 campaigns while rebounding from a pair of surgeries. He was healthy heading into last spring and secured a spot on the Marlins' Opening Day roster, but Sanchez was a shell of his former self, as he turned in a 6.06 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 35.2 innings for the big club before getting shut down in June due to shoulder inflammation and finishing the season on the injured list. He'll get the chance to work as a starter in Mexico, but unless he can regain some semblance of his pre-surgery command and velocity, Sanchez may not resurface in the big leagues again.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Elects free agency Sanchez elected free agency Monday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Impact The Marlins outrighted him to Triple-A Jacksonville, but Sanchez has declined that assignment and will hit the free-agent market. Sanchez returned to the majors in 2024 for the first time since years of shoulder trouble, but he posted a 6.06 ERA and ended the season back on the injured list with more shoulder issues. It's not clear what his current health status is.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Beginning rehab assignment Saturday Sanchez (shoulder) will throw one inning or 25 pitches with Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Impact Sanchez has been on the injured list since June 2 with right shoulder inflammation. He has tossed multiple live sessions since landing on the IL, and while he isn't expected to return in 2024, the 26-year-old right-hander will at least get some reps in a rehab assignment before the season is over. In his 14 outings (including seven starts) prior to landing on the IL, Sanchez had a 0-3 record with a 6.06 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 17:14 K:BB across 35.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Facing hitters again Sanchez (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session last Friday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Sanchez has thrown multiple live sessions since landing on the injured list June 2 with right shoulder inflammation, but given his long history of shoulder-related problems, the Marlins don't seem to be preparing him for a return in 2024. The right-hander should at least continue his throwing progression over the final two weeks of the season, setting him up for a relatively normal offseason. Sanchez posted a 6.06 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 35.2 innings across 14 appearances (seven starts) before being deactivated.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses 15-pitch bullpen Sanchez (shoulder) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sanchez has been throwing bullpens since the end of June but the Marlins have been taking it slowly with the 25-year-old as he recovers from right shoulder inflammation. Considering he's not anywhere near being stretched out to a starter's workload, the Marlins could plan to use Sanchez out of the bullpen once he's activated.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses 15-pitch bullpen Sanchez (shoulder) threw a 15-pitch bullpen Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sanchez has been throwing bullpens since the end of June but the Marlins have been taking it slow with the 25-year-old as he recovers from right shoulder inflammation. Considering he's not anywhere near being stretch out to a starter's workload, the Marlins could plan to use Sanchez out of the bullpen once he's activated.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Building up through side sessions The Marlins announced Monday that Sanchez (shoulder) continues to increase the intensity of his throwing during bullpen sessions, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sanchez remains at the Marlins' spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla. as he completes his recovery from right shoulder inflammation, which forced him to the injured list June 2. He's been throwing bullpen sessions for more than a month now, but given Sanchez's long history of shoulder problems, the Marlins are understandably proceeding cautiously with him before clearing him to face hitters. Sanchez still has a chance to make it back from the IL before the end of August, but he may not have sufficient time to get ramped back up for a starting role.

AUGUST 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses another bullpen Sanchez threw a 26-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Saturday's session was Sanchez's second time throwing off a mound, and he was able to get up to 26 pitches after only tossing 18 pitches in his first bullpen. Still, Sanchez won't be eligible for return until August.

JULY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to 60-day IL The Marlins transferred Sanchez (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Impact The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Austin Kitchen, who was claimed off waivers. Sanchez had been hoping to be cleared to throw a bullpen session soon, but this move would seem to suggest that won't happen. The righty has been out since early June with right shoulder inflammation and now won't be eligible to return until the beginning of August at the earliest.

JUNE 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Could throw off mound soon Sanchez (shoulder) has joined the Marlins in Kansas City and could be cleared to throw a bullpen session in a few days, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sanchez began throwing on flat ground a week ago and might be ready to try things from the bump soon. The right-hander has been out for most of June with shoulder inflammation and will probably require a rehab assignment before being activated. Given the state of the Marlins' injury-riddled rotation, Sanchez will probably be needed to start some games once he's deemed ready.

JUNE 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes five innings in loss Sanchez (0-3) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

Impact Sanchez got off to a rough start, walking Corbin Carroll in the opening at-bat before surrendering back-to-back doubles with two outs in the frame, leading to two runs coming home for Arizona. The right-hander would allow another run on a sac fly in the second, but settled in nicely from that point on, giving up just two infield singles over his final three frames. It marked Sanchez's longest outing of the season, though he's now been tagged with the loss in each of his last two starts. He's also walked multiple batters in all four outings this month.

MAY 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Set to open Wednesday's game Sanchez is scheduled to start Wednesday's game in Atlanta, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 25-year-old right-hander will be making his first MLB start since Oct. 8, 2020, when he faced Atlanta in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. After missing most of the ensuing three seasons while recovering from injuries, Sanchez has been healthy thus far in 2024 while operating in a relief role for Miami and producing a 6.14 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 7.1 innings. He hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of his seven appearances, so Sanchez shouldn't be expected to work more than two or three innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. If Miami doesn't add another pitcher to its roster ahead of Wednesday's contest, Kyle Tyler -- who has yet to make his 2024 MLB debut but covered 3.1 innings in his last appearance for Triple-A Jacksonville on April 14 -- would appear to be the most logical option to work behind Sanchez in bulk relief.

APRIL 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't make scheduled appearance Sanchez (shoulder) did not make a second appearance with Double-A Pensacola on Sunday as scheduled, MLB.com reports.

Impact Sanchez did throw a scoreless inning for Pensacola on Sept. 12 in what was his first appearance at any level since 2020. Evidently, he must not have recovered from that outing as hoped, so his next appearance was scratched. Sanchez is slated to throw a bullpen session soon, so it's possible he'll make it back to game action again before the end of the season. It just won't be with the Marlins.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for rehab assignment Sanchez (shoulder) is expected to throw either an inning or 20 pitches in a game with Double-A Pensacola on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact It has been years since Sanchez last appeared in a game, but it appears he is finally ready to get back up on the bump. It's unclear what the Marlins have planned beyond Tuesday's outing, but the team figures to comment on his status at some point in the coming days.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Making progress with shoulder Sanchez (shoulder) will join up with Double-A Pensacola on Saturday and throw a bullpen session, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Sanchez already has several mound workouts under his belt and could finally be nearing a return to live minor-league games. The 25-year-old right-hander hasn't made an appearance at any level since 2020 because of serious shoulder problems.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to face hitters Sanchez (shoulder) was scheduled to throw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Sunday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Impact The Marlins haven't confirmed whether Sanchez faced hitters as anticipated, but if he did, it would mark a step forward in right-hander's lengthy rehab process from the arthroscopic surgery he underwent on his shoulder last October. Sanchez has already experienced setbacks with his shoulder in spring training and in late May, but he's apparently avoided any stumbling blocks in his recovery over the ensuing three months. Sanchez seemingly still has an outside chance of pitching in rehab games in the minors in mid-to-late September, but the Marlins likely aren't counting on any contributions from him at the big-league level in 2023.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses bullpen session Sanchez (shoulder) completed a 19-pitch bullpen session Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact While the side session represents a step forward after Sanchez had been limited to playing catch off flat ground heading into the All-Star break, the 24-year-old right-hander still doesn't appear especially close to pitching in a game. Sanchez has endured a slow buildup since undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery in October, which came after he had surgery in July 2021 to repair a capsule tear in the same shoulder. He'll likely continue to throw side sessions for a few more weeks before he advances to facing hitters in live batting practice or simulated games.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes throwing program Sanchez (shoulder) has resumed throwing at 90-105 feet, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Sanchez had to be shut down for a while due to yet another setback with his right shoulder. He'll have to be built back up slowly and surely isn't being counted upon by the Marlins to contribute at the major-league level this season.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not throwing yet Sanchez (shoulder) has yet to resume throwing, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Sanchez had been scheduled to throw off a mound late last month. It's not clear whether that session got cancelled or it happened and he had another setback, but either way Sanchez is shut down again. The righty hasn't made a game appearance at any level since 2020 due to several shoulder problems.

JUNE 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

To resume mound work Sanchez (shoulder) is set to throw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Sanchez is back to throwing off a mound after getting shut down for a bit in early May due to renewed right shoulder soreness. He's been able to do several flat-ground sessions without issue over the last few weeks. There remains no timetable for the 24-year-old's return to the major-league level, but he could start appearing in minor-league games sometime in late June or early July if he is able to avoid further setbacks.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set to increase throwing distance Sanchez (shoulder) will increase his throwing distance to 105 feet this week, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Sanchez has thrown without discomfort for a couple weeks, and he is ready to see how his shoulder handles an increase in stress. The Marlins have taken the cautious route with Sanchez and figure to continue doing so.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch without issue Sanchez played catch Monday without experiencing discomfort, Noah Berger of FishStripes reports.

Impact While this doesn't seem like much of an accomplishment, it's definitely a small step forward for the right-hander, who felt soreness in his shoulder following his last appearance in extended spring training. If all goes well over the next few days, it would make sense for Miami to put him on the bump for a live bullpen session or a simulated game.

MAY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slight shoulder soreness Sanchez experienced some slight right shoulder soreness after his last extended spring training outing, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact It's not ideal given Sanchez's lengthy history of shoulder problems, but the Marlins believe it's unrelated to the right-hander's surgery and they intend to have him back on a throwing program Monday. Sanchez hasn't made a game appearance at any level since 2020.

MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pitching in extended spring Sanchez (shoulder) will throw one inning in an extended spring training game Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sanchez continues to ramp things back up slowly as he works his way back from multiple seasons missed due to shoulder problems. It shouldn't be too long before he joins one of the Marlins' minor-league affiliates.

APRIL 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE