Reigning Nationwide League Cy Younger winner Sandy Alcantara was identified 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 classes. If issues go properly in tonight’s rehab look, it might appear there’s an actual probability that Alcantara may return to the lively roster earlier than the tip of the season.
It’s certainly welcome information for Fish followers, although additionally maybe the supply of some trepidation. With any harm 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 situation. The vast majority of UCL accidents are likely to lead to surgical procedure, although that’s definitely not a common consequence. Masahiro Tanaka, Ervin Santana, Aaron Nola and Anthony DeSclafani are among the many pitchers who’ve been identified with UCL accidents however prevented surgical procedure. The 28-year-old Alcantara will hope so as to add his title to that listing.
It’s been a tricky yr for the Miami ace to date. Alcantara has taken the ball 28 occasions and eaten up 184 2/3 innings, however his 4.14 ERA is sort of 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 laborious 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 profitable the division. The Braves sport MLB’s finest report and clinched the NL East a while in the past. Nevertheless, Miami is simply 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 tricky 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 equivalent 71-81 data. The Cubs end with three video games in Atlanta and three in Milwaukee. The Reds’ remaining video games will likely be in opposition to the Pirates, Guardians and Cardinals.
