Aaron Sanchez dealt with more than his share of frustrating moments in 2017, a season defined by the blister, nail and ligament issues that led to four separate stints on the disabled list. After leading the American League in ERA in 2016, Sanchez was limited to just 36 innings this season.
Most challenging of all was watching from the sidelines.
“Going out there and watching people fill in for me, that was the hardest part for me,” Sanchez told Jeff Blair and Stephen Brunt on the Jeff Blair Show Friday. “Knowing that I’m there but I’m not able to compete.”
Sanchez expects to resume throwing in December to prepare for what he hopes will be a bounce-back season. In the meantime, he’s resting the pulley strain he sustained in the troublesome right middle finger of his pitching hand.
“A lot of it’s just rest, for me to try to stay away from gripping stuff extensively,” Sanchez said on Sportsnet 590 The FAN. “Hopefully when this thing’s done, we can turn the page on this and get ready for 2018.”
The Blue Jays’ projected 2018 rotation includes Sanchez, Marcus Stroman, Marco Estrada and J.A. Happ with Joe Biagini among the candidates for the final rotation spot. GM Ross Atkins has said that he’ll pursue additional starting depth this winter with a view toward entering the season with eight or nine legitimate big-league starting options.
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