Miami Marlins Hopeful for Rotation Reinforcements Soon

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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera could return to the majors soon / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins are looking forward to getting some reinforcements for their rotation soon. 

Missing four different pitchers that were expected to be in their Opening Day rotation in Sandy Alcantara (Tommy John surgery), Eury Pérez (Tommy John surgery), Braxton Garrett (shoulder), and Edward Cabrera (shoulder), the Marlins have been forced to move everybody up into different roles. With A.J. Puk moving from closer to the rotation, it’s even had an impact on the bullpen for Miami. 

But hopefully, the calvary is coming. 

While the “Baby Goat” Pérez is not going to return until late in 2025 after having his Tommy John surgery this upcoming Monday, both Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera are moving closer to making their way back to Miami. 

Cabrera pitched four innings for the AAA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp last night, throwing 67 pitches. He allowed one run on four hits in the outing, walking three and striking out only one. He touched 97 in the outing, but per Statcast he only had three swinging strikes. 

Cabrera’s now made two rehab starts in Jacksonville and it feels like a third will be required before they feel confident in bringing him up, but he’s closer to being ready for Major League action. 

Garrett is the scheduled starter for Sunday in AAA Jacksonville, where he’ll be making his first rehab start. He threw a three-inning simulated game earlier in the week, but this’ll be his first formal game action of the spring. He’s probably two starts away from being activated. 

And these additions can’t come soon enough - Miami’s starters have an ERA of 5.35, taking four of the losses in the team’s 0-8 start. The only thing performing worse than Miami’s rotation right now is their bullpen, also being charged with four losses and rocking an ERA of 6.58. 

Miami’s pitchers have allowed the opposing offenses to put up a collective slashline of .276/.376/.465, scoring 59 runs during the season-opening losing streak.