Astros Non-Tender Veteran Right-Hander Aaron Sanchez
By Karl Rasmussen
The Houston Astros have opted not to retain one of their midseason acquisitions from the 2019 campaign.
According to insider Mark Feinsand, the defending AL champs are non-tendering Aaron Sanchez, allowing the veteran hurler to hit the open market.
Source: The Astros are non-tendering RHP Aaron Sanchez. Not a surprise given that a shoulder injury is expected to prevent him from being ready for the start of the 2020 season.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 2, 2019
Sanchez was acquired by the Astros at the trade deadline in a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The righty featured in just four games for the Astros before suffering a shoulder injury and undergoing surgery, which is expected to keep him out for the beginning of the 2020 season.
The injury, mixed with less than desirable results on the mound -- despite throwing in a combined no-hitter during his Astros debut -- made the choice a fairly simple one for Jeff Luhnow and Co.
The deadline for teams to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players is tonight at 7 p.m. CT. The Astros' most obvious non-tender candidate is Aaron Sanchez, who had a 5.89 ERA in '19 and will miss part of '20 while rehabbing from shoulder surgery.
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) December 2, 2019
Last season, Sanchez threw 131.1 innings, posting a 5-14 record with an unfavorable 5.89 ERA and 5.25 FIP -- which suggests it wasn't luck working against the 27-year-old. He whiffed 115 batters and recorded an uninspiring 1.622 WHIP.
Sanchez, who was an All-Star in 2016, has since failed to replicate that stellar season that saw him go 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA across 30 starts. He'll now hit free agency, though his injury may be a cause for concern from some organizations in the market for a starting pitcher.