DETROIT -- So far, so good for Anibal Sanchez.
Sanchez, on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 9 with a right pectoralis major strain, threw at 120 feet before Saturday's game.
Sanchez gave the thumbs-up when asked how his long toss session went.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Sanchez would repeat that Sunday.
"If he feels fine over the course of those two throwing sessions, we're thinking possibly mound on Monday," Ausmus said.
As long as Sanchez feels all right after throwing Sunday, he'll throw a regular mound session in the bullpen.
While Ausmus has maintained all along that he's hopeful that Sanchez can return before the end of the regular season, he's not ready to say he's encouraged.
"I'm going to hold off on that because he was doing well last time, too," Ausmus said.
VERLANDER FEELING GOOD
Justin Verlander has made four starts since missing a start with right shoulder inflammation.
He's due to make his fifth on Sunday against the Indians.
"I've been feeling pretty good, better and better each time out," Verlander said. "The numbers didn't show it in my last one, funny, the numbers didn't show it, that's ironic. But I feel like my last start was probably the best one since coming back, just overall. I was happy with it. Just a couple mistakes here and there. Feeling better, ready to go, moving towards the postseason. Just gotta get ready for that. Hopefully. There's no guarantees, obviously. But that's the goal."
Against the Royals, Verlander allowed four runs on six hits in seven innings while walking one and striking out four.
"He seems to be bouncing back better, in terms of post-start soreness the next day," Ausmus said. "Cleveland was the one, I guess, that wasn't as crisp. But his last outing was good. Too late where he had that blister issue."
TALKING MVP
When you look at Victor Martinez's stats this season -- .335 batting average, career-high 30 home runs and 97 RBI -- you'd think he'd certainly be in the running for league MVP.
But sometimes players who are primarily designated hitters can get overlooked.
"It's typical because there's a taboo attached to it," Ausmus said. "I've said it before, designated hitter was a position created by Major League Baseball, and therefore, should be eligible just like any other position for the MVP."
Like Miguel Cabrera before him, Martinez's main competition will be Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout.
In previous years, the Angels' inability to reach the postseason has hurt Trout.
This year, the Angels lead the American League West by 11 games.
"That's just how it goes now," Ausmus said. "Unless you're on a contending team, you're really not even considered. Unless your numbers are overwhelming, you're not even considered in the MVP discussion. I guess the thought is that if you're an MVP, you can make your team into a contender, which is probably a little bit false. But, that's just the reality of it."
Trout, 23, is batting .286 with 32 home runs and a league-leading 105 RBI.
Martinez leads in on-base percentage (.404 to Trout's .374), slugging percentage (.568 to .553) and OPS (.972 to .927).
Trout has scored 104 runs to Martinez's 80.
The fact that Trout has played more in the field will likely weigh heavily among voters.
Not many designated hitters win the MVP.
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