The return of right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez will have to wait much longer. The Washington Nationals transferred Sanchez to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday.
Sanchez had previously been on the 10-day injured list with a neck injury. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, Sanchez underwent a second MRI on his neck. But the MRI revealed the same nerve impingement as before.
Whenever the veteran is able to throw again, he’ll essentially need a full spring training.
Anibal Sanchez pitched 13 years in the Majors before he signed with the Washington Nationals in 2019. He was part of the Nationals’ starting rotation that led them to a World Series championship.
Sanchez started Game 3 of the World Series. In 2020, at the age of 36 Sanchez struggled through the pandemic-shortened season. His ERA ballooned to 6.62 through 11 starts.
Despite throwing during a pitching showcase for MLB teams, Sanchez opted not to play throughout the 2021 season.
In March, Sanchez signed a minor league deal to return with the Nationals. In April, his contract was purchased by Washington and he appeared to be set in the rotation. However, his neck injury appeared and his return with the Curly W will be held off for the foreseeable future.
