He was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates on 7 May 2004. He pitched in the Venezuelan League in 2004 for the Pirates, throwing a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts in one game.[1][2] Sánchez made his stateside debut in 2005, making appearances in rookie ball, Single-A, and Double-A. Due to a lack of secondary pitches, the Pirates converted him to a reliever in 2006. He spent most of his time in A-ball, pitching to a 7.08 ERA in 40.2 innings over 21 games with the Hickory Crawdads.[3] Sánchez missed the last two months of the season with shoulder tendinitis. After the season, Baseball America ranked him as the Pirates' 30th best prospect.[4] He was also added to the 40-man roster.[5]
Sánchez began the 2007 season with the Altoona Curve and pitched to a 6–3 record with a 2.81 ERA in 40 relief appearances.[6] His career walk rate went from 3.9 BB/9 to 2.7, which was enough of an improvement for the big league club to take notice.[7] When Salomón Torres went on the disabled list on 25 August, Sánchez was called up.[8] He made his Major League debut on 26 August against the Houston Astros, throwing two thirds of an inning.[9] Sánchez allowed eight runs in three games consecutive appearances, which greatly contributed to his 5.00 ERA in 18 innings.[10] After the season, he was ranked as the 13th best prospect in the Pirates system by Baseball America.[2]
In 2008, he started the season in Triple-A with the Indianapolis Indians.[11] Sánchez was called up to the majors on 29 June after going 4–0 with four saves and a 2.85 ERA in 28 relief appearances.[12] On 1 July, he picked up his only MLB save during a 6–5 extra inning Pirates victory over the Reds.[13] He allowed six runs on 14 hits and six walks over 13.1 innings of work in multiple stints with the team that year.[14] During spring training in 2009, Sánchez was designated for assignment.[15][16] He was then outrighted to Triple-A.[17]
New York Yankees
Sánchez was traded to the New York Yankees for Eric Hacker on 16 May 2009.[18] The Yankees attempted to convert him back into a starter.[19] Following the 2009 season, Sánchez was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[20] On 7 May 2010, the Yankees recalled Sánchez to the major leagues.[21] He appeared in two games and worked four and one third innings without allowing a run.[22] In 2011, Sánchez was out of options and did not travel with the team amid speculation of an coming trade.[23]
On 19 January 2012, Sánchez signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.[27] He did not make the team out of spring training and was assigned to Triple-A Durham before the season.[28][29] On 2 August, Sánchez was released by the Rays. He went 2–2 with a 6.31 ERA in 34 appearances with Durham.[30]
For the 2015 season, Sánchez signed with T&A San Marino of the Italian Baseball League.[34] He allowed a 5.59 ERA in just 9.2 innings of work.[36] San Marino removed him from the roster in April.[37]
