Detroit Tigers: Anibal Sanchez and Daniel Norris return from disabled list

Detroit Tigers fans will see two familiar faces return to the team as starting pitchers Daniel Norris and Anibal Sanchez have been activated from the disabled list.

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus will get some much-needed reinforcements to the starting rotation as the calendar turns to September.

With former ace Justin Verlander having been dealt to the Houston Astros late Wednesday night and current ace Michael Fulmer currently sidelined due to an ulnar neuritis flare up.

As it stands, that leaves a combination of Matthew Boyd, Buck Farmer, Jordan Zimmermann, Chad Bell, Drew VerHagen and Warwick Saupold as starting candidates.

The addition of Norris and Sanchez to the group certainly helps.

Detroit announced the move in a tweet on the team’s official Twitter account on Wednesday night:

The Tigers tweeted:

"“The #Tigers have activated LHP Daniel Norris and RHP Anibal Sanchez from the 10-day DL.”"

With rosters expanded in September, the franchise didn’t need to make any corresponding moves.

That being said, there were open spots on the active roster following the trades of Verlander and outfielder Justin Upton.

Neither players was having remarkable seasons before hitting the disabled list, but both bring relatively experienced arms to Detroit’s rotation.

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Daniel Norris

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Norris has shown flashes of brilliance at times, but has struggled to pitch late into games.

In 16 starts this season he’s racked up 85 innings. To his credit, he has a 1.2 WAR. That stat ranks third in terms of pitchers still on Detroit’s roster.

That being said, Norris has also pitched to a 5.29 ERA, a 4.91 xFIP, a 4.82 SIERA and a 4.28 FIP.

He’s striking out 8.36 batters per nine innings, and has struggled with walks. The southpaw is allowing 4.13 walks per nine frames.

His WHIP is up from 1.40 last season to 1.67 in 2017.

Anibal Sanchez

Also rejoining the team is Sanchez.

The veteran, who has been with the Tigers since half way through the 2012 campaign, has struggled mightily this season.

In 77.2 innings, Sanchez has pitched to a 6.95 ERA, a 6.19 FIP, a 4.77 xFIP and a 4.40 SIERA. He’s appeared in 22 games overall for Detroit, including 11 starts.

The right-hander continues to struggle with the long ball, surrendering 2.67 home runs per nine frames.

A potential free agent after the season, Sanchez has a $16 million option on his contract for the 2018 campaign, per Spotrac.

Next: Prospects in Justin Verlander trade give team bright future

According to the same publication, the Tigers can buy Sanchez out for $5 million.