The last thing the San Francisco Giants needed was another injury, but another injury was exactly what they got Tuesday night in a game against the Atlanta Braves. In the third inning, starter Jonathan Sanchez fielded consecutive bunts, tweaking his left ankle on the second one. Then, facing Michael Bourn, Sanchez threw a first-pitch ball and limped around, eventually stopping and bending down. The trainer came out of the dugout, and before long, Sanchez was removed from the game and replaced by Guillermo Mota.
Sanchez has a sprained ankle, and what we're waiting on now is word on the severity. It could be minor, but it could be more than that, and with Barry Zito also currently injured, it could hurt if Sanchez needs a stint on the disabled list. The organization isn't exactly overflowing with other fifth starter options.
Sanchez owns a 4.26 ERA on the year, with 66 walks and 102 strikeouts. He has been neither great nor consistent, but few fifth starters are.