CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Very few people are talking about Anibal Sanchez this spring but he could be one of the keys of the season for the Tigers.
All of the attention has focused on impending free agent David Price and on finally healthy and evolving Justin Verlander.
That's just the way Sanchez likes it.
"It's good, it's good," Sanchez said. "If they got more attention than me, it's perfect. The team not worry about me, the other teams, they don't care if I pitch or not, just worry more if they're going to face Price or Verlander. I feel good. I'm never concerned with that."
The Tigers haven't been concerned with Sanchez this spring either, but they do hope he can make it through an entire season in good health.
Sanchez missed over a month last year with a right pectoralis strain.
"If we get 200 innings out of Sanchie, I'd be extremely happy," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "I think we'll be in a very good spot. We talk about losing Max (Scherzer) and having David, having Ver bounce back. We talk about a lot of things but if Sanchie can stay healthy, that would be an enormous plus for us."
Sanchez has never thrown 200 innings in a season but he's come close.
In 2010-12, Sanchez threw 195 innings, 196 1/3 and 195 2/3 innings, respectively.
On Sunday, if not for Chase Utley, perhaps Sanchez would have thrown a complete game as he made his second-to-last spring start.
Utley hit two home runs off of Sanchez in a 4-4 tie in front of a sellout crowd of 8,743 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., Sunday.
"I think he's working for the curveball," Sanchez said with a laugh. "I threw curveballs and he hit it pretty good. He's a pretty good hitter. I know him for a while. The way that I throw the first homer for him is the count was 1-2, 2-2, I don't remember exactly at this point but he was ready for it."
The count was 0-2 for that one in the first. Utley hit the first pitch he saw in the fourth for his second home run.
Sanchez also gave up a home run to Russ Canzler in the sixth inning, giving him a total of six allowed this spring.
That ties Sanchez with Justin Verlander for most home runs allowed this spring by a Tigers pitcher.
Sanchez said that doesn't concern him at all.
"Especially because I always say you don't have any kind of game plan, you don't know the guys you're going to face," Sanchez said. "You just go there and work on the pitch that you have to work. The only concern, the only worry in spring training is the walk. The rest, no matter if I've got four or five homers in spring training, it doesn't count. I think in spring training you always prepare for the season."
Sanchez allowed four runs on five hits while walking one and striking out 10 in 6 1/3 innings.
Sanchez passed David Price for the team lead with 26 strikeouts. Price has 24.
"All the time when I strike them out, people chase my change-up or chase my off pitch, but right now I'm using my fastball in the count just for finishing and especially I can put my cutter and my sinker in both corners, it helps me for the hitters just look at the pitch," Sanchez said.
Sanchez threw around 84 pitches and said he could have thrown more.
"I feel really good, especially with my fastball command, I show today that I can use a lot for the season," Sanchez said. "I don't know how many pitch I threw today but I feel good for continue pitching. I can go 80 or 90-something. I don't know how many pitch I'm going to have my next outing but physical, everything is fine."
The Tigers also scored via the home run.
Tyler Collins hit his second of the spring and Yoenis Cespedes his his fourth, a two-run shot, all in the fourth inning.
Only J.D. Martinez has more home runs than Cespedes, with five this spring.
Jefry Marte had an RBI single.
Because the Phillies opted to use National League rules, Sanchez had to hit.
Sanchez was 0-for-3 in three bunt attempts.
"I got Pittsburgh in my second game so that's why they want," Sanchez said. "They don't let me swing, they just want me to bunt.
"I don't want to show my power at this point."
As long as Sanchez shows his pitching prowess and health during the regular season, they can live without his hitting.
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COMPLETE TIGERS SPRING TRAINING 2015 COVERAGE
