MRI Results Give Relief to Marlins Fans About a Key Arm for the 2024 Season
The Miami Marlins can, finally, breathe a small sigh of relief.
Because the news isn't all bad right now on the injury front.
Starter Edward Cabrera, who left Sunday's game during warmups with right shoulder 'tightness', has had an MRI and the results confirm it shouldn't be any sort of season-ending issue.
Manager Skip Schumaker confirmed this morning that it's a "right shoulder impingement" for Cabrera, with a second evaluation coming today before next steps are determined.
Cabrera missed a month last season with right shoulder impingement but told MLB.com that this wasn't "even close to what I felt last year" and, theoretically, shouldn't miss as much time as he did in 2023. "I've already come in here, I've been in the training room. I did a couple of exercises, treatment, and I'm already starting to feel better."
But it does underscore how tenuous the rotation is right now for Miami - Braxton Garrett is behind pace in his prep for Opening Day due to shoulder issues earlier in camp and is not expected to be available to open the season, while Max Meyer and Sixto Sanchez are still trying to make their way back after injury and aren't guaranteed to be in MLB shape by Opening Day.
There are several value-priced free agents that could be signed to provide rotation depth, but there are questions about if those players could be ramped up to be ready for Opening Day.
The team does have some additional depth options on the 40-man roster, including Bryan Hoeing and reliever Ryan Weathers, as well as non-roster invitees Yonny Chirinos and Devin Smeltzer.
Managing Editor for Blackerby Media, covering the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins Also: Senior Baseball Writer for Auburn Daily, member of both the National College Baseball Writers Association and Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (where he won the 2023 Prospects, Minors, & College Writer of the Year award)