Quick hits

• The Tigers confirmed reports that they denied permission for the Venezuelan team to use Anibal Sanchez for a second outing in the current round of the World Baseball Classic. Sanchez threw just 20 pitches in his start on Thursday against the Dominican Republic, thanks to a rain delay -- and by rule could've been available. Venezuelan manager Luis Sojo explored the possibility of using Sanchez on Sunday, if necessary.

• Al Alburquerque's scoreless seventh inning on Saturday gives him five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in his last five outings since he gave up a home run in his Grapefruit League debut on Feb. 24.

• Backup catcher Brayan Pena started at first base on Saturday, but Leyland said he was doing it to get him some at-bats while getting Alex Avila innings behind the plate. "He's got to start swinging the bat a little bit," Leyland said. Pena went 2-for-4 with a double.