DETROIT -- Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez is headed back to the bullpen.
The 32-year-old Sanchez was already removed from the starting rotation once this season -- when he was demoted in early June after a string of poor performances -- and manager Brad Ausmus informed reporters in Tuesday's pregame news briefing that was where he would return.
"We're trying to do what we think is best to try to win baseball games," Ausmus said.
This news comes after a brief shot at redemption for Sanchez, who was used in the club's short-lived six-man rotation (a function of skipping rookie Michael Fulmer's turn to give the 23-year-old rest) but delivered a lackluster outing in Saturday's 6-0 shutout loss to the Cleveland Indians.
Sanchez gave up four runs on five hits over the course of five innings, an underwhelming start that ended his audition at reclaiming a spot in the rotation.
That means that both Mike Pelfrey and Daniel Norris will remain in the rotation -- pitching on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively -- while Fulmer will be reinstated in time to make his start on Friday.