Veteran right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez is getting another opportunity with the Washington Nationals.
The 38-year-old played a key role in the Nationals World Series run in 2019, posting an 11-8 record and a 3.85 ERA in 30 starts.
Sanchez went 4-5 the next season and posted a 6.62 ERA.
He sat out all of 2021 but returned to the Nationals on a minor league deal and received an invitation to spring training.
According to MLB insider Dan Kolko, the Nationals have selected Sanchez’s contract, meaning he will be a part of the Opening Day roster and will slot into the Nats’ rotation alongside Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin.
Nats announce they’ve selected the contract of Anibal Sanchez. The 38-year-old, and a big member of the 2019 World Series team, is officially back in the rotation with the big league club after sitting out last season.
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) April 5, 2022
Return Of A Champion
It’s nice to see Sanchez get a second chance after having not pitched at all last season.
When healthy, Sanchez can be a weapon in any rotation he is in and now he has a chance to prove his worth as member of the Nationals once again.
Over 15 seasons in the big leagues, Sanchez has posted a lifetime record of 112-113 with an ERA of 4.05 and a WAR of 26.9.
Now, Sanchez returns to a Nationals rotation that features Strasburg, Corbin, Erick Fedde, and top prospect Josiah Gray, who came over from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Max Scherzer trade at last year’s deadline.
But if Sanchez can stay healthy, he could help form a solid starting rotation.
Granted, the Nationals don’t look like a postseason contender heading into 2022, but Sanchez provides them with a veteran presence in their rotation and someone who can eat up innings.
Now we will see if Sanchez can make the most of his opportunity to regain his form with the team he won a ring with.
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