Romulo

Sanchez

Sanchez spent last season with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan’s Pacific League, posting a 4.96 ERA and 19/7 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old right-hander has made 28 relief appearances in the big leagues between the Yankees and Pirates. He’ll likely serve as organizational depth with Tampa.

Mark Melancon, who was sent down three days ago, isn’t eligible to rejoin the Yankees yet, so Sanchez will get a look, even though he had a 6.48 ERA in five Triple-A starts. He’ll take over Sergio Mitre’s long role in the pen.

Sanchez tossed 3 1/3 innings during Sunday’s loss to the Red Sox, so the Yankees preferred a fresh arm out of the pen. Keep in mind, Sergio Mitre and Javier Vazquez are starting the next two games.

Sanchez was just a hard-thrower entering 2007, but he’s made a ton of progress, going from a 39/30 K/BB ratio in 58 1/3 innings last year to a 52/17 mark in 57 2/3 innings this season. His slider still isn’t anything more than an average offering, but if he commands his fastball, he could do OK in the majors. Most likely, he’s still a year away.

He’ll need to work his way up to 150 feet before being cleared for full activity at the Pirates’ training camp. This delay won’t help him secure a job, not that he was a favorite to break camp with a gig given the command issues he had after his August recall last season. Sanchez will likely factor into the bullpen mix at some point this season.

Sanchez appeared in just two spring games, allowing one run. He was one of the Pirates’ first cuts this spring and projects as a little more than a decent middle reliever.

The Pirates now have 10 days to waive, trade or release Sanchez, who was one of the team’s first cuts during spring training.

Hacker was designated for assignment last Saturday to make room for Brett Tomko. Sanchez had a 4.38 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings for Triple-A Indianapolis.

Called up two weeks ago, Sanchez allowed one run in three innings spread over two relief outings.

Sanchez allowed two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work after he was called up on August 5. Tom Gorzelanny will take his roster spot.