Sanchez's road to recovery

All signs are encouraging regarding Anibal Sanchez’s rehab assignment start for Class A Jupiter on Friday.

The 25-year-old, on the disabled list since June 4 with a sprained right shoulder, tossed 6 2/3 hitless innings for the Hammerheads against the Palm Beach Cardinals.

Sanchez is slated to throw a bullpen session on Sunday, and he is lined up to pitch for Double-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said on Saturday that Sanchez would need a minimum of two more Minor League starts before being a candidate to return to the rotation.

If he continues throwing every fifth day, Sanchez could be a candidate to return to the rotation perhaps as early as Aug. 22, when the team is at-home against Atlanta. That is the timeline if he throws every fifth day.

Since Sanchez had surgery on the same shoulder in 2007, the Marlins are taking a very cautious approach. But chances are he could be part of the rotation for the final five or six weeks.

– Joe Frisaro