What Happened to Humberto Sanchez?

Humberto Sanchez was the biggest prospect the Yankees got in return for Gary Sheffield when they traded him to the Detroit Tigers a couple years back.

At the time of the trade, Sanchez was considered Detroit’s top pitching prospect, but they were willing to deal him because of his need for Tommy John surgery.

So he went under the knife during the spring of 2007, which caused him to miss the entire season. He was slow coming back from the surgery in 2008 and suffered some minor setbacks.

Finally, after 15 1/3 innings in the minors last season, the Yankees called him up to the Bronx where on Sept. 15, he made his big league debut. He pitched two innings in total last season, allowing one run while walking two.

Last season was a major disappointment. He took a very long time coming back from surgery, and upon his return, he only threw 17 2/3 innings in the majors and minors with an ERA of 3.57.

He needed innings to shake off the rust, so the Yankees sent him to the Arizona Fall League, where he was even worse. In 11, games he threw 12 innings for an ERA of 12.00. Worse yet, he had 11 walks and only four strikeouts.

Sanchez then came into spring training this season trying to win a job in the Yankees' bullpen. He was a long shot, but any chance he had went out the window when forearm tightness kept him out of games. He was able to throw bullpen sessions though.

Now he’s likely destined for double-A Trenton’s bullpen. There, his priorities would be to stay healthy and pitch. Once he proves he can do that, he’ll likely get a try out in Scranton before even being considered for the Big Show.

He probably won’t even crack the Yankees' roster this season until September, when they expand the rosters; unless he pitches extremely well (unlikely,) or injuries force their hand, more likely but still unlikely.

At this point, it’s hard to tell if this guy could even be a reliable reliever. Time will tell.