Anibal's shoulder checks out OK

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Tigers received good news on right-hander Anibal Sanchez Wednesday after his consultation with Dr. James Andrews. The noted orthopedic surgeon examined Sanchez's sore right rotator cuff on Wednesday and saw no major structural damage.

"All good," Sanchez's agent, Gene Mato, said in a text message. "He said the shoulder looked great."

The Tigers soon confirmed the news, adding that Sanchez received a platelet-rich plasma injection to help aid in healing. While Sanchez's 2015 season is over, he's expected to be at full strength with enough time to be ready for the start of Spring Training in '16, possibly throwing by the holidays.

Sanchez, out since Aug. 19 with a rotator cuff strain, was on track to pitch Wednesday's series finale against the Twins at Target Field until he felt his shoulder flare up again on the last few pitches of his side session. It was the same soreness he felt previously, he said, raising concerns that there could be a larger issue lingering.

Thus, as a precaution, Sanchez visited Dr. Andrews, who had performed surgery on Sanchez's labrum back in 2007. The news was about as good as hoped.

"Dr. Andrews said the shoulder actually looked amazing for a veteran pitcher," Mato said.