Pirates activate 2B Sanchez from disabled list

Apr 8, 2007 - 12:24 AM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates got one of their main cogs back Saturday.

After the 7-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, the Pirates activated 2006 batting champion Freddy Sanchez from the 15-day disabled list.

Sanchez, who hit .344 last season, sprained his right knee while turning a double play in a spring training game on March 6. He will be eligible to play in Sunday's series finale against Cincinnati.

The first Pirate to win a batting crown since Bill Madlock in 1983, the 29-year-old Sanchez had 53 doubles, six homers and 85 RBI last season. He led the major leagues with a .388 home batting average and .442 average against lefthanders and finished second with a .386 average with runners in scoring position.

To make room for Sanchez, Pittsburgh optioned catcher-first baseman Ryan Doumit to Class AAA Indianapolis.