Aníbal Sánchez, who threw no-hitter as a rookie, announces retirement

After 16 Major League seasons, more than 2,000 innings pitched and one no-hitter, veteran right-hander Aníbal Sánchez is calling it a career.

Sánchez, 39, announced his retirement from professional baseball Tuesday night on Instagram.

“Today begins a new chapter where I hang up the glove and uniform to pursue my other passions. I retire as a Major League player, however I will always be close to the sport I love,” Sánchez wrote.

A native of Maracay, Venezuela, Sánchez pitched in the Majors for four teams, most recently the Nationals last year. In 16 years from 2006-22 (he did not appear in a Major League game in '21), Sánchez had a 116-119 record with a 4.06 ERA. His lengthy career reached its apex in '13, his first full season with the Tigers, when he led the American League with a 2.57 ERA, finishing fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting.

Sánchez’s best years, though, came with the Marlins, with whom he debuted in 2006 after being acquired from the Red Sox the year prior. Sánchez posted a 3.75 ERA with the club across seven seasons, including four straight seasons with an ERA under 4 from '09-12. As a rookie, he even tossed a no-hitter, baffling the D-backs in just his 13th career start.

Sánchez was traded to Detroit at the Trade Deadline in 2012 and re-signed with the Tigers in the offseason, spending the next five seasons there. After being cut by the Twins in Spring Training in '18, Sánchez signed with the Braves and had a resurgent season, posting a 2.83 ERA. He spent '19 and '20 with the Nationals and returned to D.C. in '22 for what would be the final year of a venerable career.

“Throughout these past 17 years in Major League Baseball, God has given me the opportunity to live wonderful moments on and off the field. Baseball has been my great passion since I was a child, and I am extremely grateful to have been able to make that dream a reality,” Sánchez wrote.