Innings?!

As the calendar turns over to 2025, baseball season's about a month away. Soon enough you'll hear about pitchers & catchers reporting to Spring Training. For the Marlins, news broke this week about one of those hurlers who was to play a big piece in their Starting Rotation. Bad news that is, as Braxton Garrett will miss the entire Season after a second major surgery (people don't wanna call it Tommy John anymore) to the Southpaw's left elbow.

What may have been more alarming was that the Fish knew about Garrett's elbow struggles yet decided to shed fellow Southpaw Jesus Luzardo last month in a Trade with Division rival Philadelphia anyway. You're now hearing reports that the Marlins could be in the market to acquire a Starting Pitcher. That's because what's left of the Marlins Rotation may need some help covering Innings in '25.

Sandy Alcantara will be returning from his own Tommy John, and all indications point to will be gearing up this Spring to start Opening Day. But coming off a major surgery and a rough 2023 Campaign, can the Fish count this Season on the near or over 200 Innings Alcantara's use to giving them? 

Speaking of T.J, we knew Max Meyer's Innings would be extremely monitored in '24, after the former 1st Rd. Pick's procedure under the knife wiped out almost half of 2022 and all of 2023. But hard to see Meyer going way beyond the 115 Innings he was able to accumulate between the Bigs & Triple-A last year.

Health has never been friendly on the mound to ultra talented, yet inconsistent Hurler Edward Cabrera. A spot in the Marlins Opening Day Rotation is all the Right Handers, so long can get through the Spring without Injury. Remember, a shoulder impingement in Camp last year prevented Cabrera from reaching 100 MLB Innings for the 3rd consecutive Season.

Valente Bellozo came out of absolutely nowhere last year and turned into one of very few bright spots on the 2024 Marlins. Bellozo should certainly be a front runner to nab an Opening Day Rotation spot, yet keep in mind the 135.2 Innings accumulated between the Minors and Majors last Season were by far the most of his Professional Career.

Adam Mazur too was acquired during the '24 Season, picked up in the Tanner Scott Trade from San Diego. Though the former Iowa Hawkeye had his struggles in the Big Leagues and Triple-A a year ago, he was rushed to the Padres in the early Season. Mid 90's however, with a good Slider and Pitchability ought to play ok in the Show. Mazur, whom was terrific in the Minors in 2023 (his first year as a Professional) could have a legit shot of breaking camp as a Marlin with a good Spring.

Ryan Weathers will be considered more of a lock in the Fish Rotation come February. After making the Marlins Opening Day Staff and taking a giant step forward in his development, it was a bit unfortunate to see the big Lefty limited to only 16 Starts because of Injury in 2024. The son of former Marlin David Weathers was able to make it back for the final couple weeks of September, including Winning his last 2 Starts. Weathers however, was unable to top the 126.2 Innings he accumulated all the way back in 2022 (a Career high). 

And there in lies the problem for Marlins Pitching as we approach the new baseball year. Innings..