Sanchez's shoulder flares up; next stop: Dr. Andrews

MINNEAPOLIS – Anibal Sanchez has hit another roadblock.

And it likely means that his 2015 season has reached the end of the road.

The Tigers' right-hander will not make his starting assignment on Wednesday after experiencing shoulder soreness at the tail end of his bullpen session before Monday's 7-1 loss to the Twins, and is headed for an examination with orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews Wednesday morning.

"The same soreness," Sanchez said. "I thought it was something that was going to go away as soon as I was getting my arm warm but just before I finished, like three pitches before the end, I felt bad and there was no reason to continue and I stopped right away."

Sanchez has been on the 15-day disabled list with a right rotator cuff strain since Aug. 19. He threw 45 pitches in a simulated game on Saturday, reporting no soreness, and was scheduled to throw 35 pitches in his bullpen session on Monday.

Both manager Brad Ausmus and pitching coach Jeff Jones don't believe the injury is serious but both admitted it's hard to foresee a scenario in which Sanchez pitches again this season.

"I don't think it's overly concerning at this point," Ausmus said. "I think he just reaggravated the injury he had. You might as well cover all your bases."

Said Jones: "I'm always optimistic, but I think it was just a re-irritation of what he had. It's in the same area. We're hoping that's the case, because based on him throwing the simulated game and throwing again yesterday, it didn't look like a tear."

Sanchez, 31, was examined by Andrews shortly after being diagnosed with a right pectoral strain last season and again this season when the right rotator cuff strain was first diagnosed.

"It's the same feeling," he said about the shoulder discomfort. "Nothing different."

Asked if he thought his season would be over, Sanchez said, "I don't know. It's really hard to come back, it's just two weeks left and it's something, probably yes, probably no, it just depends on what the doctor says.

"I need to see the doctor first. I need an opinion on what is better for me right now."

Sanchez, 31, has struggled to a 4.99 ERA in 25 starts this season, allowing 29 home runs in 157 innings. He signed a five-year, $80 million deal prior to the 2013 season, in which he posted an American League-leading 2.57 ERA and finished fourth in AL Cy Young Award balloting.

The latest roadblock is a huge red flag for Sanchez, who has battled shoulder injuries throughout his career. He has not pitched since Aug. 17 against the Cubs.

"I want to pitch," he said. "Always, I want to pitch. Always, I want to be there. Always, I want to do my job and help and be there for my teammates."

But it appears he will not pitch again this season.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Check out our latest Tigers podcast at freep.com/tigerspodcast or on iTunes. And download our free Tigers Xtra app on Apple and Android!