TIGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH ANIBAL SANCHEZ..Righthanded Pitcher Agrees to Five-Year Contract with Club Option for 2018

The Detroit Tigers announced the club has agreed to terms on a five-year contract, with a club option for 2018, with righthanded pitcher Anibal Sanchez.

Sanchez, 28, compiled a 4-6 record with a 3.74 ERA (74.2IP/31ER) and 57 strikeouts in 12 starts with the Tigers during the 2012 season after being acquired from the Miami Marlins on July 23. He posted a 5-7 record, 3.94 ERA (121.0IP/53ER) and 110 strikeouts in 19 starts this past season with the Marlins.

“Anibal pitched tremendously for us down the stretch and during the post-season,” Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said. “He strengthens our starting rotation and we are pleased to have him back with the Tigers organization.”

Over his final eight starts of the season with the Tigers August 22-September 30, he finished with a 3-3 record, 2.15 ERA (54.1IP/13ER) and 44 strikeouts. Sanchez limited opponents to a .227 batting average (46x203) during that stretch.

Sanchez started three games for Detroit during the post-season in 2012, posting a 1-2 record, 1.77 ERA (20.1IP/4ER) and 18 strikeouts. He held opponents to a .192 batting average (14x73) during the post-season.

A veteran of seven seasons at the major league level with the Marlins (2006-12) and Tigers (2012), Sanchez has posted a 48-51 record, 3.75 ERA (869.0IP/362ER) and 733 strikeouts in 145 appearances (144 starts).