The Miami Marlins’ bullpen is getting better. How much will more COVID-19 returns help?
Ryne Stanek didn’t deal with too many symptoms as he dealt with COVID-19 earlier this summer. The Miami Marlins pitcher had the trademark cough, but his fever wasn’t too bad and he never lost his senses of taste or smell.
He did, however, spend a lot of time lying around and feeling “sluggish.” Unusual fatigue, he said, was his biggest challenge as he tried to work back to full strength after he was one of 18 Marlins players to test positive for the coronavirus in July.
“Coming back from everything, fatigue definitely kind of sat in a little bit quicker than usual,” Stanek said. “It’s weird being used to being able to put out a certain level of energy over the course of time and then actually having to like scale things back a little bit as you have to rebuild up into the process was definitely a surprise. I didn’t think it would take as long as it did to do that.”
On Saturday, he finally returned to the majors more than a month after the Marlins placed him on the injured list as he fell victim to the team’s massive COVID outbreak — the reason for his absence was technically never disclosed by the team. He started working out in Jupiter last month and was finally able to get back into live action after more than two weeks training at Roger Dean Stadium.
To make room for the right-handed pitcher, Miami (16-16) optioned starting pitcher Robert Dugger to the team’s alternate training site in Jupiter ahead of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Stanek, who made just one appearance and allowed three earned runs in one inning before going on the IL after the first series of the season, should give another boost to a bullpen, which was particularly ravaged by the team’s virus outbreak.
Eight of the 18 Marlins to test positive were relief pitchers, including Stanek and Yimi Garcia, who began the year as Miami’s top set-up man. Garcia finally returned last Friday, and Miami activated fellow relief pitcher Alex Vesia on Saturday. The Marlins’ bullpen finally looks somewhat similar to what they expected when the season began.
“Probably when we left camp, [Stanek] was in our plans in our bullpen. We’ve got quite a bit of experience back there now,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We’re a fairly experienced bullpen with a few young guys sprinkled in there, so he’s just going to be part of the mix. He gives you another power arm out there you can use in different ways.”
Although it has improved as the season has gone, Miami’s bullpen still ranks in the bottom half of the league entering Friday against the Rays (26-12) in St. Petersburg. Marlins relievers have posted a 4.63 ERA this season — 13th worst in MLB — and their .243 batting average allowed is ninth worst in baseball. It’s still a marked improvement from two weeks ago, when Miami’s bullpen was tied for the worst strikeout-to-walk ratio in the league and had the 10th worst ERA in the Majors.
The veterans have shouldered the load. Brandon Kintzler, 36, has a 2.51 ERA and eight saves. James Hoyt and Nick Vincent, both signed amid the Marlins’ outbreak, have combined for a 3.10 ERA in 20 2/3 innings. Josh A. Smith, 33 and called up because of the outbreak, leads the bullpen with 16 1/3 innings pitched.
Stanek isn’t sure what his role will be, but versatility has always been one of the 28-year-old’s greatest assets — he started games occasionally in Tampa Bay as an opener the last two seasons. As he joins a team in the thick of a playoff race, Stanek is willing to chip in any way he’s asked.
“We’re going to try to find my place and throw well, hopefully. That’s all I can do is just contribute,” the righty said. “The bullpen’s thrown well. The pitchers have all thrown well, so it’s just trying to keep the next man up and continue on what they’ve been doing.”
Rojas returns to lineup
Miami’s de facto captain is back in the lineup to start a crucial weekend series at Tropicana Field.
Shortstop Miguel Rojas returned to the field Friday after missing the Marlins’ 2-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday in Miami with a sore abdomen. He’s batting sixth and manning his usual spot at short.
Rojas returns a day after he was named the Marlins’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. The Clemente Award is given annually the player who best displays a commitment to their community. Since coming to Miami in 2014, Rojas has become a fixture in the South Florida community as a staple at team charity events.
“He’s a great example for our younger guys,” Mattingly said. “It’s important, obviously, that people know and our fans know that our guys, and our organization, care about the people in South Florida. The same people that support you, we have to support them, so obviously Miggy is a great example.”
This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 5:30 PM.
