Marlins observations: What Luzardo’s working on, Cabrera update, key reliever makes spring debut
With just more than two weeks left until he takes the mound on Opening Day, Miami Marlins left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo is now at the point where he is focusing on the finer details of his game.
Two in particular stand out.
The first is getting his pitch count up and eliminating deep counts. As he presumes the role of the Marlins’ ace for the 2024 season — and with Miami facing questions about innings limits for many of its starters — Luzardo being able to pitch deep into games is paramount. Last season, Luzardo pitched at least seven full innings just five times in 32 starts.
“First-pitch strikes are No. 1 probably on his list, and then early outs,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “We want him to eat up innings. He wants to eat up innings and he wants to be the ace of the staff. Aces of the staff don’t throw [only] 140 innings [in a season]. He wants to show that he can go deep in games and help out the bullpen and be that guy.”
Against the Houston Astros on Tuesday, his fourth start of spring, Luzardo threw 67 pitches over just 3 1/3 innings. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out four but still threw at least five pitches to six of 16 batters he faced.
“Without a doubt, the focal point is getting through the innings that we need to get through, attack and getting ahead,” Luzardo said. “I felt like I threw strikes today, but it was mainly to get back in counts instead of getting ahead of the count.”
Second is getting a feel for his secondary pitches — his slider and his changeup. Luzardo knows he needs both to be effective in order to play off his four-seam fastball that averages 96 mph.
On Tuesday, Luzardo got six whiffs on 11 swings against his slider. His changeup remains Luzardo’s No. 3 option, but he is getting more comfortable with the pitch.
“Today felt really good,” Luzardo said after his start. “I felt like myself again.”
Latest on Cabrera
Right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed he has a right shoulder impingement, manager Skip Schumaker said Tuesday.
“Those things are day to day,” Schumaker said. “It’s nothing that was bigger than that, which is obviously good news.”
Schumaker said he’ll have a better idea on the next steps for Cabrera after a follow-up evaluation by the doctors.
“Whether it’s treatment, injection, whatever it is,” Schumaker said, “we’ll go from there, and I’ll update you once I hear back.”
The MRI came after Cabrera was taken out of his scheduled start on Sunday before throwing a pitch after he experienced shoulder tightness.
Chargois’ first spring appearance
After having his throwing progression delayed early in camp due to neck spasms, right-handed pitcher JT Chargois made his first appearance in a spring game on Tuesday. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out one in an inning of work.
Of Chargois’ 16 pitches, 12 landed for strikes. He threw nine sliders and seven sinkers in the outing, generating three whiffs on 11 swings.
Last season, his first with the Marlins, Chargois posted a 3.61 ERA through 42 1/3 innings, mostly in high-leverage situations.
“We need to see him,” Schumaker said. “He wants to be out there. He’s a guy that gets righties out and was working really hard on the changeup and a backdoor slider/cutter to get lefties out. He can throw the four-seamer at the top of the zone. ... And I think he can be a multiple [inning] guy, too.”
Meyer sent to Triple A
The Marlins on Tuesday optioned right-handed pitcher Max Meyer to Triple A Jacksonville, ending the slim chance the prospect could crack the Opening Day roster.
The move was expected at some point during camp. Meyer missed all of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so Miami wanted to ease him back into things.
Meyer will be one of the Marlins’ top options to bring to the big leagues during the season should a spot in the rotation open.
The Marlins also reassigned six players to minor-league camp: Infielders Troy Johnston and Jose Devers, catcher Jhonny Pereda, and outfielders Griffin Conine, Marty Costes and Jonathan Davis.
Nick Gordon showing versatility
Utility player Nick Gordon, who is projected to get most of his playing time in the outfield, started at second base Tuesday. Gordon had a pair of opposite-field hits — a leadoff single in the first and a double off the wall in the third — and also made a diving grab on a groundball up the middle that he flipped to shortstop Jon Berti for a fourth-inning forceout.
Gordon, Jon Berti and Vidal Brujan are all projected to make the Marlins’ roster and provide Schumaker with lineup flexibility as all three can play the infield and outfield.
This story was originally published March 12, 2024 at 5:10 PM.
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