Quick hits

• Anibal Sanchez, who went on the 15-day disabled list earlier this week with a right shoulder strain, threw a thorough long-toss session before Saturday's game. It was an encouraging sign toward what the Tigers hope is his quick return. Sanchez is eligible to come off the DL on July 1, the same day his spot in the rotation is scheduled to come up.

• Matt Tuiasosopo said he's hoping his stay on the 15-day DL will be minimal, but he likely won't resume baseball activities until the Tigers hit the road next weekend. The Tigers' medical staff wants to give him ample time for his intercostal strain to calm down first to try to minimize the risk of re-injury.

• The Tigers are promoting former Rule 5 Draft pick Kyle Lobstein from Double-A Erie to Triple-A to join the Mud Hens' rotation. The 23-year-old left-hander went 7-4 with a 3.12 ERA at Erie, finishing with five consecutive quality starts.

• Also promoted on Friday was relief prospect Melvin Mercedes, from Class A Lakeland to Erie, after a dominant first half closing for the Flying Tigers. The 22-year-old Mercedes, who made an impression on Tigers officials in Spring Training, went 3-1 with 11 saves in 14 chances at Lakeland, allowing three earned runs on 23 hits over 28 innings, with five walks and 17 strikeouts. He also allowed just two of 11 inherited runners to score.