Notes: Sanchez excited to be back; rotation stays same rest of way
DETROIT -- It's probably going to be a bit strange for Anibal Sanchez to pitch in relief, but he's ready for it.
Sanchez, who has been on the disabled list with a right pectoralis strain since Aug. 9, was officially activated Tuesday and will pitch out of the bullpen.
"I think I have to make adjustments," Sanchez said. "I just try to see how it was (Monday) in the bullpen, just see how people get ready for the game. I've never been in that situation before, just my second outing in the big leagues in 2006. I have to make adjustments, I have to do everything I need for be ready for the game."
Back in 2006 when Sanchez was a rookie with the Florida Marlins, he came into the game with two outs in the first inning in relief of former Tiger Brian Moehler.
Sanchez, who didn't remember a lot about that outing, faced Alex Gonzalez, the Tigers' Opening Day shortstop this season, and got out of the inning on a line-out.
Sanchez threw four more innings, giving up three home runs and three doubles.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he's not quite sure exactly what role Sanchez will have.
"I would imagine he could pitch anywhere from the fifth through the end of the game," Ausmus said. "Probably initially would be reluctant to go past two innings."
Sanchez threw a 45-pitch simulated game in Kansas City Sunday and experienced no ill effects during or afterward.
"It's good to have him back," Torii Hunter said. "Just watching him over the last three weeks, four weeks, he's been sad, depressed. We want the old Anibal back. Once he found out he was coming back this week, he started smiling and cracking jokes again. We got him back."
Although there was some concern that Sanchez might not make it back in time for the end of the regular season, he says he's happy to be back in whatever role.
"I don't say that I'm not going to be available for pitch this year, I just say I don't know if I've got time enough for (get) back," Sanchez said. "For sure I don't have time enough for back in the rotation but I'm back for help the team out of the bullpen. Right now I feel good, that's the most important."
Sanchez said it's up to Ausmus when he comes into the game.
"I just need to be ready all the time, just wait for the call," Sanchez said. "No matter what inning they call me, I need to go to the mound and do my job."
LOBSTEIN IMPRESSES AGAIN
Although he took the loss in the 2-0 shutout to the White Sox Monday, once again rookie Kyle Lobstein did not disappoint and he will get another start as the Tigers chase a playoff berth.
"The rotation's going to roll right through at this point," Ausmus said. "And Kyle did an excellent job (Monday) night. He really did."
Lobstein allowed two runs on five hits while walking one and striking out five in seven innings.
"You could make the argument he's been our most consistent pitcher, really, in the last -- what was that, his sixth start? -- basically a month," Ausmus said. "He went from a guy that wasn't discussed to be called up when we first brought up Robbie Ray, earlier in the season, to being -- in a relatively small sample size -- an extremely consistent left-handed starter."
Lobstein has six appearances and five starts. In the five starts, Lobstein has a 3.10 ERA.
With the Toledo Mud Hens, Lobstein was 9-11 with a 4.07 ERA in 26 games (25 starts).
"Sometimes those lefties who have to become a little more savvy, take a little bit longer," Ausmus said. "Just because you have to figure out how to get hitters out. When you're throwing 95 (mph), it's a lot easier to figure out how to get hitters out. But when you're throwing 88-90, there's more subtleties involved in attacking hitters, getting outs and getting through a game."
SEPTOBER, THE FUN TIME OF THE YEAR
Hunter has been calling this time of year "Septober," with the stakes high as the Tigers try to fend off the Kansas City Royals and hang onto the Central Division.
"Man, it's awesome," Hunter said. "If you can't get pumped up for this time of year, I think there's something definitely wrong with you. You might need to check your pulse, see if you're alive. This is a great time of the year, especially if you're playing for something. And right now, we're playing to win this division."
Ausmus said he had a brief meeting with the team before Monday night's game.
Although he declined to say what he told them, Ausmus said everyone is excited.
"It certainly attaches a lot more emotion and energy to each particular game that you're playing that day," Ausmus said. "It seems like the teams that have to battle to the end, often if they get in the playoffs tend to have a little bit of momentum because each game has been so important and each game has been similar to a playoff game. But that being said, we've got to get there first."
Hunter said he's talked to the younger players about this time of year.
"(I) just say, 'Hey, man, this is what you've gotta do: Play your game. Don't try to make it bigger than what it is. The hype from the fans and the media, don't get caught up in it. It's still the same game. Just go play the game,'" Hunter said. "And that's all you can try to tell the guys. But for the guys that's been there, it's no pressure. We're going out there to do our part, play our game, and worry about the things you can control."
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