Tigers put Anibal, Avila on 15-day disabled list

Tigers put Anibal, Avila on 15-day disabled list

By Bobby Nightengale / MLB.com | 6/17/2013 5:06 P.M. ET

Something didn't seem right in Anibal Sanchez's start against the Twins on Saturday. It turns out the concern was shared by the Tigers, who placed the right-hander (strained right shoulder) on the 15-disabled list Monday along with catcher Alex Avila (deep contusion on his left forearm).

Sanchez was pulled after 3 2/3 innings and 72 pitches Saturday, after his velocity was down. Sanchez was scratched as a precautionary measure from his previous start on June 9 due to muscle stiffness near his shoulder. Avila left Sunday's game after being hit by a pitch in the ninth inning.

"I think they both will be ready in two weeks," manager Jim Leyland said before Monday's game against the Orioles.

The Tigers did a MRI on Sanchez's shoulder Sunday, and it showed no structural damage. The team is waiting to do an X-ray on Avila's left arm, but a preliminary scan came back negative.

"I think in all honesty, Alex will be able to play before 15 days," Leyland said, "but we can't go with one catcher for three or four days, so it's a no-brainer."

Outfielder Avisail Garcia and catcher Bryan Holaday were called up from Triple-A Toledo. Garcia hit .288 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 24 games before being sent down to the Minors on Friday to make room for center fielder Austin Jackson, who returned from the DL. Holaday went 3-for-12 in six games for the Tigers last season, and was hitting .259 with two home runs and 15 RBIs in the Minors this year.

Left-hander Jose Alvarez will replace Sanchez in the rotation against the Red Sox on Thursday and will be called up prior to the game. Alvarez allowed one run in six innings while striking out seven in his last spot start for Sanchez on June 9 against the Indians.

Bobby Nightengale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.