Former Giants left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez is on the comeback trail and has been given another chance at making the bigs.
Sanchez, 33, hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2013. But that may change in 2016 as the Cincinnati Reds signed him to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training as a non-roster player.
"We'll give him an opportunity to see if he can start. If not, he could be a bullpen guy," Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty said Saturday.
Sanchez's best days were with the Giants, where he pitched for them from 2006-2011. In San Francisco, Sanchez went 38-46 with a 4.26 ERA.
On July 10, 2009, Sanchez threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, the fist in AT&T Park history. The historic feat came in dominant fashion, with Sanchez striking out 11 batters.
At the time, Sanchez's no-hitter was the 13th in Giants history.
After his time with the Giants came to an end, Sanchez tumbled on the hill. Though he hasn't been in the majors for quite some time, Sanchez kept at it.
Pitching for Indios de Mayagüez in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League in his native Puerto Rico, Sanchez was named Puerto Rico Winter League Comeback Player of the Year earlier this month.
Sanchez started three games for Indios de Mayagüez this season, posting a 2.51 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14.1 innings.
Reds minor league manager Pat Kelly was Sanchez's manager the past two winters in Puerto Rico.
"Pat called me a couple of months ago and gave me a great report on him," Jocketty said.
For his eight-year major league career, Sanchez owns a 39-58 record with a 4.70 ERA and has struck out 796 batters in 786.1 innings pitched.
