Eduardo Sanchez has been diagnosed with an olecranon stress fracture in his right elbow.

The Tigers are only saying that he will be out for "an extended period" of time. Sanchez signed a minor league contract with Detroit in December and was hoping to compete for a spot in the major league bullpen.

Eduardo Sanchez suffered an elbow injury Wednesday and will be evaluated by Tigers doctors on Thursday.

The severity of the injury is unclear. Sanchez showed some promise early in his career with the Cardinals, but arm issues and control problems have kept him from establishing himself as a major league reliever. He signed a minor league deal with Detroit in December.

Tigers signed RHP Eduardo Sanchez to a minor league contract.

Sanchez once showed promise as a young reliever with the Cardinals, but he struggled this past season for the Cubs and turns 25 years old in November. The right-hander will serve as organizational depth for Detroit.

Cubs designated RHP Eduardo Sanchez for assignment.

The move was made to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Ryan Sweeney who was activated from the disabled list on Sunday. The 24-year-old Sanchez posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 5/5 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings with the Cubs this season.

Cubs optioned RHP Eduardo Sanchez to Triple-A Iowa.

Sanchez has allowed four runs over 6 1/3 innings in his time with the big club this season. He'll be back next month when rosters expand.

Cubs recalled RHP Eduardo Sanchez from Triple-A Iowa.

Sanchez has allowed three hits and one earned run in three innings this season with the Cubs. The 24-year-old right-hander will pitch in a middle relief role.

Cubs optioned RHP Eduardo Sanchez to Triple-A Iowa.

The move clears a spot for Thomas Neal on the active roster. Sanchez joined the Cubs last weekend and allowed one run in three innings over two appearances. He should be back in September.

Cubs purchased the contract of RHP Eduardo Sanchez from Triple-A Iowa.

He'll take Alfonso Soriano's spot on the roster. Sanchez, who was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals in May, had a 3.70 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 24 1/3 innings with Iowa. Of course, the hard-throwing right-hander also issued 17 walks. That's Sanchez in a nutshell.

Cubs sent RHP Eduardo Sanchez outright to Triple-A Iowa.

Sanchez was designated for assignment last week but has cleared waivers and will remain in the organization. The righty has really struggled with his control the last two seasons but is still just 24 and has plenty of upside.

Cubs designated RHP Eduardo Sanchez for assignment.

Sanchez had just been claimed off waivers from the Cardinals a couple weeks ago. He's had his control problems, but the right-hander has a big arm that could again draw interest on waivers.

Cubs claimed RHP Eduardo Sanchez off waivers from the Cardinals; assigned him to Triple-A Iowa.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch speculates that Sanchez was cleared from the Cardinals' 40-man roster in order to make room for Tyler Lyons. Either way, the Cubs were quick to pounce. The 24-year-old has struggled with his control, but he has a big arm and has displayed the ability to get swings-and-misses at the big league level. He could be a useful bullpen piece for Chicago.

Cardinals optioned RHP Eduardo Sanchez to Triple-A Memphis.

Sanchez had a 4.26 ERA and 8/2 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings during Grapefruit League action. The move makes it more likely that Trevor Rosenthal will win a bullpen spot.

Eduardo Sanchez has been placed on Triple-A Memphis' disabled list with a forearm injury.

The Cardinals will shut him down for a week in hopes that he'll be ready to return to the mound in a couple weeks. Sanchez has been a big disappointment both in the majors and minors this season after showing plenty of promise last year as a rookie.

Cardinals optioned RHP Eduardo Sanchez to Triple-A Memphis.

Sanchez posted a 6.60 ERA in 17 appearances (15 innings) as a middle reliever with the Cardinals. He could be an option for the bullpen again later this season. Maikel Cleto is replacing him on the active roster.

Cardinals recalled RHP Eduardo Sanchez from Triple-A Memphis.

Sanchez was sent to the minors at the end of spring training due to concerns about his mechanics. With those apparently ironed out, he will hop into a middle relief role in St. Louis. The 23-year-old registered a stellar 1.80 ERA and 35/16 K/BB ratio in 30 innings last season for the eventual World Series champions.

Cardinals optioned RHP Eduardo Sanchez to Triple-A Memphis.

This should cement St. Louis' Opening Day bullpen. The Cardinals will likely go with Jason Motte, Fernando Salas, Mitchell Boggs, Kyle McClellan, Scott Linebrink, J.C. Romero and Mark Rzepczynski. Sanchez missed a chunk of last season due to a strained right shoulder, but the youngster was a weapon when healthy. He'll be in St. Louis before long.

Eduardo Sanchez tossed 1 1/3 perfect innings Tuesday in his first appearance since June.

Sanchez, who had been sidelined with a shoulder issue, actually earned the win in the Cardinals' comeback victory. He struck out a pair, and his stuff looked as good as ever, with his slider having plenty of bite and fastball touching 93-94 mph. The 22-year-old, who holds a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 rate over 30 innings this year, could be a valuable late-inning weapon out of the Cards' bullpen if they make the postseason.

Cardinals activated RHP Eduardo Sanchez from the 60-day disabled list.

Sanchez hasn't pitched with the Cardinals since June 12 due to a strained right shoulder. The hard-throwing right-hander had a 1.88 ERA and 33/16 K/BB ratio over 26 2/3 innings prior to the injury.

Eduardo Sanchez (shoulder) could be activated this week.

Sanchez has been sidelined since mid-June with a shoulder strain. The hard-throwing setup man had a 1.88 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings before he was shut down.

Eduardo Sanchez (shoulder) threw an "aggressive" bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon.

Sanchez treated it like a simulated game, throwing two sets of pitches between a period of rest. The young setup man could return to the Cards' bullpen in a week.