19 Anibal Sanchez SP

Sanchez became a free agent Wednesday after the Diamondbacks declined his $12 million team option, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Sanchez will receive a $2 million buyout as he prepares for free agency. The 36-year-old finished the 2020 season with a 4-5 record as he recorded a career-worst 6.62 ERA along with a 1.66 WHIP over 53 innings. Although his numbers declined during his two seasons in Washington, he could certainly find another role in a starting rotation in 2021.

Sanchez (4-5) picked up the win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran right-hander tossed 80 pitches (50 strikes) before exiting his final outing of the season. Sanchez wasn't able to match his strong performances from 2018 or 2019 this year, managing to deliver only one quality start in 11 trips to the mound and posting a 6.62 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through 53 innings, his worst ratios since he became a big-league regular with the Marlins over a decade ago. The Nats have a $12 million option on Sanchez's services for 2021, but the front office may think twice about exercising it.

Sanchez (3-5) picked up the win Monday against the Phillies, allowing one run on four hits and four walks while striking out six over five innings.

Sanchez dealt with plenty of traffic on the bases during Monday's outing, however, he managed to dance out of trouble, giving up just one run in the fifth inning on a balk that allowed Mickey Moniak to score. Sanchez has accrued a 6.80 ERA and 1.74 WHIP to go with 40 punchouts over 47.2 frames in 2020.

Sanchez (2-5) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up six runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.1 innings as the Nationals fell 6-1 to the Rays. He struck out four.

The veteran right-hander threw only 58 of 98 pitches for strikes and had great difficulty controlling the baserunners he allowed -- Tampa went 4-for-4 on steal attempts off the battery of Sanchez and Kurt Suzuki. Sanchez will carry a 7.38 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB into his next outing Sunday during a doubleheader in Miami.

Sanchez (2-4) earned the win Tuesday against the Rays after allowing three runs on four hits with six strikeouts and two walks across five innings.

The veteran right-hander started out by surrendering only two singles and two walks through five shutout frames, but he was pulled after giving up two singles and hitting a batter to start the sixth inning -- all three baserunners came around to score. Sanchez has a 6.34 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 30:12 K:BB through 38.1 innings and lines up to face the Rays again next Tuesday.

Sanchez allowed four runs (one earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out one across 3.1 innings Thursday against the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.

Sanchez was the victim of poor defense, but also didn't pitch particularly effectively. He allowed a home run to Rhys Hoskins, and has now surrendered at least one long ball in five of his seven starts this season. Sanchez also showcased little deceptiveness, generating only eight called strikes and six swinging strikes across 74 total pitches. For the season, he now has a 6.48 ERA with a 24:10 K:BB across 33.1 innings. He's in line to draw his next start Tuesday against the Rays.

Sanchez (1-4) allowed five runs on eight hits and struck out four over five innings in a loss to the Red Sox on Saturday.

Sanchez was taken deep for a three-run homer by Xander Bogaerts in the first inning, and Kevin Pillar added a solo shot in the fourth. It's the third time in six starts Sanchez has allowed five runs. He carries a 6.90 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 30 innings this season. The right-hander's next start is expected to be Thursday in Philadelphia.

Sanchez (1-3) allowed one run on five hits and no walks while striking out five over seven innings as he earned the win Sunday against the Marlins.

Sanchez labored through his first four starts of the season as he was unable to limit traffic on the basepaths, but he kept the Marlins' bats quiet Sunday in his longest start of 2020. He got plenty of run support from the Nationals' offense to enter the win column for the first time this year. He now has a 6.48 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 25 innings in 2020. The right-hander will try to maintain his momentum on the road against Boston on Friday.

Sanchez didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 7-6 loss to Atlanta, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out one.

The veteran right-hander wasn't sharp, but this was arguably his best start of the season and Sanchez was in line for his first win before Daniel Hudson served up two homers in the ninth inning. Sanchez will try again for win No. 1 as part of a doubleheader against the Marlins on Saturday.

Sanchez (0-3) allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in a loss to the Mets on Wednesday.

Sanchez began last season with an 0-6 record and 5.27 ERA in his first eight starts, and he's off to another miserable start in 2020. He bounced back in a major way down the stretch last year, but it's hard to feel good about him following a similar path over the final six weeks of this season. Sanchez had just five swinging strikes on 71 pitches Wednesday and has given up five homers now in only 13 innings. The 36-year-old will attempt to start righting the ship next week.

Sanchez (0-2) allowed five runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings as he was charged with the loss Friday against the Orioles.

Sanchez had a long layoff since his last start due to the postponement of the team's series against the Marlins. He was hit hard early on during his return to the mound as he allowed runs in three of the first five innings prior to being removed from the game with one out in the sixth. The 36-year-old has now had two rough outings to begin the season as he carries a 7.84 ERA and 1.94 WHIP over 10.1 innings in his first two starts. His next chance to right the ship should come on the road Wednesday against the Mets.

Sanchez is listed as the Nationals' probable starter Friday against the Orioles.

The 36-year-old hasn't taken the mound since July 27, since the three-game set in Miami was postponed last weekend following the Marlins' COVID-19 outbreak. Sanchez allowed four runs on six hits and had seven strikeouts and one walk over five innings during his season debut.

Sanchez (0-1) took the loss Monday as the Nationals fell 4-1 to the Blue Jays, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out seven.

The whiffs were nice, but on a humid evening in DC, any ball the Jays put in the air off Sanchez went a long way -- all four runs for Toronto scored on solo shots. The veteran righty has had trouble with the long ball in the past, posting a 2.2 HR/9 in 2017 during a disastrous final stint in Detroit, but it's too early to assume he's headed for a repeat of his 6.41 ERA from that season.

Sanchez threw four innings in Sunday's intrasquad game, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

He appears well on track to be fully stretched out in time for his first turn in the rotation, which figures to be July 27 on the road against the Blue Jays. Sanchez gave up three runs while striking out eight and allowing seven hits and two walks in nine innings during spring training.

Sanchez has posted a 3.00 ERA and 8:2 K:BB through nine innings over his first three spring starts.

The veteran right-hander is right on track for Opening Day, tossing four scoreless innings against the Marlins on Friday. Sanchez made 30 starts last season, the first time he'd reached that mark since 2012, and the Nats will count on him to bring some stability to the back of the rotation once again in 2020.

Sanchez will start Game 3 of the World Series against the Astros on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Patrick Corbin was initially slated for Game 3 but pitched in relief during Game 1, and the team will elect to go with Sanchez's rested arm Friday. In two appearances this postseason, the 35-year-old has allowed one run on five hits and three walks while recording 14 strikeouts over 12.2 innings.

Sanchez was named the starter for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals on Friday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

The decision was widely expected, but Thursday's announcement confirms that Sanchez will face the Cardinals in Game 1. Sanchez's start likely lines up Max Scherzer as the starter for Game 2 and Stephen Strasburg as the Game 3 starter.

Sanchez is expected to start Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

An official decision hasn't been made, but this move would make sense. Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg were both used to close out the NLDS against the Dodgers, and Sanchez has had a few more days of rest. Sanchez gave up one run off four hits and two walks while recording nine strikeouts over five innings during his start in Game 3 of the NLDS on Sunday.

Sanchez will start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Sunday, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.

Max Scherzer was used for an inning out of the bullpen during Game 2 and needs an extra day of rest, opening the window for Sanchez to take the mound Sunday. Sanchez had a strong finish to the regular season with a 2.42 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB across his final four starts (26 innings).

Sanchez may start Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers on Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Max Scherzer was initially scheduled to start the third game of the series but could be pushed back to Game 4 after entering as a reliever during Friday's game. Sanchez's status for Game 3 will likely be determined by how Scherzer feels Saturday.