Marlins’ Sixto Sanchez, in his own words, explains his latest setback and next steps
Sixto Sanchez’s right shoulder injury has had lingering effects that are nearing a full year.
An injury initially sustained on March 31, 2021, while throwing a simulated game at the team’s alternate training site in Jacksonville continues to fester into present day.
Sanchez, the Miami Marlins’ No. 4 overall prospect and No. 40 overall prospect in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline and the main player the Marlins received from the Philadelphia Phillies in the J.T. Realmuto trade, hasn’t pitched in a game since that day, underwent surgery in July and is now shut down for at least another month after reporting to spring training once again feeling shoulder discomfort.
The Marlins optioned Sanchez to Triple A Jacksonville on Tuesday but he remains at least a month away from starting a throwing program. General manager Kim Ng said Wednesday the team will continue to monitor his progress.
Sanchez, through player relations and Spanish media liaison/team interpreter Luis Dorante Jr., on Wednesday spoke to a small group of reporters for the first time since spring training began — and for the first time (outside of one in-house Marlins interview) since spring training last season.
Here is everything Sanchez had to say.
How are you feeling and how is the shoulder?
“First of all, I want to thank God for every opportunity. The shoulder right now, you know, I’m still working on it, on my rehab. We had a successful surgery. Everything went well there until there was some inflammation and discomfort that I had and we’re actually working and getting better at that part.”
When did the discomfort start?
“Approximately a month ago when I arrived here and I started tossing and doing some long toss.”
How tough have all the setbacks been, even dating back to before the surgery and knowing how much you want to pitch again?
“Once you’re in rehab, you always want to get better and get back to the field, but unfortunately, it’s been something that every time I’ve been moving forward, somehow I’ve had a setback. I’ve just got to continue having a positive mindset and keep working just to get back on the field.”
Have you been told maybe what has been causing the discomfort? Could it be your throwing motion? Is there any rhyme or reason?
“Not really. Nothing specific that I’ve been told. Personally, I think probably it was something I did a little too much work on my shoulder. A lot of other exercises on the shoulder. I wasn’t able to throw any pitches. Probably that was something that kind of affected it.”
Have you been given any insights into what the next steps of your rehab are going to be or when you could be cleared to start throwing again?
“We’re starting with six weeks [of not throwing]. There are another four weeks left. By then, I should start to be able to feel better from the shoulder and start throwing.”
What were you able to do rehab-wise while the lockout was happening?
“That’s a good question. When I was at home, I tried to do all the exercises similar to the ones that I was told here, but it wasn’t the same. That’s why I decided to come back here to the US. I was doing something separately — again, I was not with the team — and it was not the same. It was not the same as many things that we were doing. Again, was not feeling the same way.”
When did you arrive back in the United States?
“January 7th was when I came back.”
Would you be comfortable moving to a bullpen role if that meant getting back to the field quicker?
“Well, I wouldn’t say no to that. It’s something that I will be open for it, but I started my career as a starter, I made it to the Majors as a starter and I would love to like continue my career that way.”
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