Reigning Nationwide League Cy Younger winner Sandy Alcantara was recognized with a UCL sprain earlier this month, however he’s set to make a rehab begin in Triple-A Jacksonville Thursday, the crew introduced. Craig Mish of SportsGrid and the Miami Herald, who first reported that Alcantara would begin in Jacksonville tonight, tweets that Alcantara has had a number of pain-free bullpen periods. If issues go effectively in tonight’s rehab look, it might appear there’s an actual probability that Alcantara may return to the energetic roster earlier than the tip of the season.
It’s absolutely welcome information for Fish followers, although additionally maybe the supply of some trepidation. With any damage to the ulnar collateral ligament — the ligament that’s changed in Tommy John surgical procedure — there’s concern of a possible yearlong absence in a worst-case state of affairs. The vast majority of UCL accidents are inclined to end in surgical procedure, although that’s definitely not a common final result. Masahiro Tanaka, Ervin Santana, Aaron Nola and Anthony DeSclafani are among the many pitchers who’ve been recognized with UCL accidents however prevented surgical procedure. The 28-year-old Alcantara will hope so as to add his title to that checklist.
It’s been a troublesome yr for the Miami ace to this point. Alcantara has taken the ball 28 instances and eaten up 184 2/3 innings, however his 4.14 ERA is almost two full runs larger than the two.28 mark that fueled final yr’s Cy Younger win. Alcantara hasn’t skilled a velocity drop, however his strikeout fee, stroll fee, ground-ball fee and residential run fee are all worse than in 2022’s career-best season. He’s additionally given up arduous contact at larger ranges.
With Alcantara on the shelf, the Marlins have been utilizing Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Edward Cabrera and the returning Eury Perez — who’d beforehand been optioned to the minors to watch his workload — as their common starters. Reliever Bryan Hoenig took the ball this previous weekend, tossing 4 1/3 innings in his first begin since early July. Miami’s starter for tomorrow’s collection opener in opposition to the Brewers is presently listed as TBD.
The Marlins don’t have any shot at successful the division. The Braves sport MLB’s finest document and clinched the NL East a while in the past. Nonetheless, Miami is barely a half sport out of the third Wild Card spot within the Nationwide League. They’re trailing the Cubs for that spot and are one sport up on the Reds within the standings. This weekend’s collection in opposition to the Brewers is a troublesome process — significantly with Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta lined as much as begin for Milwaukee — however the Fish shut out the season with seven video games in opposition to the Mets and Pirates, who presently share an identical 71-81 data. The Cubs end with three video games in Atlanta and three in Milwaukee. The Reds’ ultimate video games can be in opposition to the Pirates, Guardians and Cardinals.
