Aaron

Sanchez

Sanchez, who last pitched in the majors in 2022, is getting a chance with the Royals here because of his success in the Dominican Winter League, but he didn’t show much today. His 33 pitches produced just one missed swing, and seven of the eight balls in play against him were hard hit, including a William Contreras double that would have been a homer in 19 MLB parks.

The contract would pay Sanchez $1.35 million if he makes the major league team, with incentives to earn more. It also includes an assignment clause and release clauses on April 15 and May 15. The 33-year-old is coming off a Dominican Winter League season in which he was named Pitcher of the Year after posting a 1.55 ERA in 46 1/3 innings. He has not pitched in the majors since 2022 and would seem most likely to make the Royals as a multi-inning reliever given the depth of their starting rotation.

In 46 1/3 innings across eight starts this winter, Sanchez had a 1.55 ERA, which has led to him “attracting interest from clubs,” according to Ken Rosenthal. Sanchez was an All-Star back in 2016 but has not pitched in the major leagues since 2022 due to injuries and ineffectiveness. Still, he is only 33 years old, so there could be a chance he gets another shot in 2026.

The 33-year-old Sanchez has a 1.55 ERA and a 34/9 K/BB in 46 1/3 innings in the Dominican Republic. He didn’t pitch professionally during the regular season in 2025 after struggling in Triple-A with the Blue Jays in 2024, but he’ll probably get another chance on a minor league deal if he wants one. He’ll enter next season 10 years removed from his one excellent big-league campaign, when he went 15-2 with an AL-best 3.00 ERA for the Jays in 2016.

Sanchez has not pitched in the majors since 2022 when he had a 6.60 ERA over 60 innings with the Twins, and Nationals, and in 2023 he spent all of the year in the minors with a 68/63 K/BB and 5.54 ERA. He’ll provide depth, but the days of Sanchez providing fantasy value are likely over.

Sanchez spent all of last year in the minors, finishing with a 5.54 ERA and a 68/63 K/BB in 89 1/3 innings as a starter in Triple-A. He had a 6.60 ERA in 60 innings for the Nationals and Twins in 2022.

Sanchez was released by the Twins a few weeks ago and quickly finds a new opportunity with the Diamondbacks as extra organizational starting pitching depth. The 31-year-old journeyman made eight appearances (three starts) last year for Minnesota and has yet to pitch in the majors this season.

Sanchez re-signed with the Twins back in February on a minor league pact and didn’t wind up making it back to the big leagues this season. The 31-year-old righty made eight appearances (three starts) last year for Minnesota.

Sanchez re-signed with the Twins after posting a 4.71 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 25/7 K/BB ratio over 28 2/3 innings last season. He will serve as starting pitching depth for the Twins this season.

Sanchez made eight appearances (three starts) with the Twins during the 2022 campaign, posting a serviceable 4.71 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 25/7 K/BB ratio over 28 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old right-hander augments the Twins’ organizational pitching depth and gives them a quality emergency starting pitching option heading into the 2023 season.