Tigers option Alvarez to clear room for Anibal

CLEVELAND -- The Tigers made room for Anibal Sanchez's return from the disabled list Saturday by optioning his fill-in, Jose Alvarez, to Triple-A Toledo Friday night.

Alvarez tossed six innings of one-run ball against Cleveland in his Major League debut June 9 in a spot start for Sanchez, then returned for three more starts while Sanchez rehabbed a right shoulder strain. The 24-year-old left-hander lost his last two starts, allowing eight earned runs on 13 hits over 8 2/3 innings combined.

The move means Alvarez can't rejoin the Tigers before the All-Star break unless he replaces a player who's placed on the disabled list. Thus, if Rick Porcello loses his appeal early next week and has to begin his six-game suspension before his next scheduled start Wednesday, Alvarez can't return to take his place.