Two top Marlins relievers close to making spring debuts. Plus first roster cuts
Two of the Miami Marlins’ top relief pitchers are one step closer to finally making their Grapefruit League debut.
Left-handed pitchers Tanner Scott and A.J. Puk threw live batting practice sessions on the back fields Tuesday. They faced prospects Xavier Edwards, Jacob Amaya and Brian Miller. Scott was sidelined briefly with left biceps discomfort. Puk was dealing with tightness in his left adductor, the muscle on the inner thigh.
If there are no setbacks from the session, manager Skip Schumaker said the two are scheduled to pitch in Friday’s spring training game against the Washington Nationals. It will be their first spring training games of camp.
“I was just watching them come off the mound excited and healthy and kind of done rehabbing,” Schumaker said. “They want to get in a game so I think that was encouraging. They’re ready to go. The velo was up for a live BP on the back field and nobody watching, which was great to see. It wasn’t like they were holding back anything. ... I think we’re ready to go.”
This would mean the Marlins’ bullpen would be nearly close to full strength at the midway point in camp. Huascar Brazoban, who missed the first week of camp due to a visa issue, is slated to play his first spring game on Wednesday when the Marlins host Team Israel for an exhibition game ahead of the World Baseball Classic.
The only relief pitcher who had a chance to break camp on the Opening Day roster who is sidelined is Tommy Nance, who is dealing with a right shoulder injury.
First Marlins roster cuts
The Marlins on Tuesday re-assigned 10 players to minor-league camp: left-handed pitchers Dylan Bice, Dax Fulton, Robert Garcia and Jefry Yan; right-handed pitcher Enrique Burgos; catcher Jan Mercado; infielders Jacob Berry, Troy Johnston and Joe Rizzo; and outfielder Jake Mangum.
Berry, Fulton and Johnston are among the Marlins’ top-30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, with Berry ranked No. 2 in the organization (and No. 61 overall), Fulton No. 4 and Johnston No. 29.
Berry, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, played in five Grapefruit League games, going 0 for 6 with three strikeouts and a walk while playing at third base.
Fulton, Miami’s second-round pick in 2020, made two appearances and gave up six runs (five earned) over 2 2/3 innings. He struck out two while walking four and allowing two home runs.
This and that
▪ Edward Cabrera threw three innings of one-run ball on Tuesday during the Marlins’ 5-3 loss to the Nationals in his second spring start. He held the Nationals to three hits and a walk while striking out two. Of his 44 pitches, 18 were changeups, his best secondary pitch and one that plays well with his fastball.
▪ Catcher Jacob Stallings was not with the team on Tuesday while tending to a personal matter. Schumaker said he expects Stallings back at camp on Wednesday.
▪ Avisail Garcia, set to primarily play right field, started in left field on Tuesday. Schumaker’s rationale for the move was to make sure Garcia is comfortable in both spots considering some ballparks are more spacious in left field than right.
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