CINCINNATI (AP) -The Pittsburgh Pirates activated NL batting champion Freddy Sanchez off the 15-day disabled list Saturday, reuniting him with the team in time for the final game of a series against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Pirates also optioned Ryan Doumit to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he will be the everyday catcher.
Sanchez, who hit .344 last season, sprained his right knee while turning a double play in a game on March 6. The second baseman didn’t get back onto the field until the final days of spring training, and wanted to play a few games in the minors to refine his swing.
Sanchez went 1-for-2 with a double and a pair of walks for Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday night, but cold weather wiped out games scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
“He’s probably got a better chance to play here,” general manager Dave Littlefield said, following a 7-5 loss to the Reds on Saturday. “Eventually you’ve just got to make a call.”
Manager Jim Tracy was noncommittal about whether Sanchez would start on Sunday against left-hander Eric Milton, who also opened the season on the disabled list because of back spasms.
Sanchez will be available for the Pirates’ home opener Monday afternoon against St. Louis.
Home Pirates activate Sanchez off DL