Bradenton, Fla. — The plot thickens.
Anibal Sanchez, his $16.8 million salary notwithstanding, came into his start against the Pirates here Saturday trailing Matthew Boyd in the battle for the fifth spot in the Tigers rotation.
“Matt Boyd is keeping the heat on everyone,” manager Brad Ausmus said before the game.
Sanchez has responded with a little heat of his own.
He pitched six no-hit innings in the Tigers’ 5-4 spring loss, raising his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 14, dating back to a mechanical fix he made with pitching coach Rich Dubee at the beginning of this month.