Updates on battles in left and center, rotation news, two injuries and more Marlins notes
A six-pack of Marlins notes 10 games into spring training, with Miami standing at 3-7 after being drubbed 20-5 by Boston on Friday:
▪ The starting rotation heading into spring seemed pretty much set: Sandy Alcantara (unless he’s traded), Cal Quantrill, Ryan Weathers, Edward Cabrera and Max Meyer.
But Cabrera has struggled badly this spring, allowing 10 hits and 10 runs in 4 ⅔ innings (a 17.36 ERA). Control problems have haunted Cabrera at times, and he has allowed two walks this spring while lacking command on his pitches.
New manager Clayton McCullough raved about Cabrera this past winter — and he’s out of minor-league options — so it’s still likely he begins the season in the rotation.
But if he doesn’t start pitching better, the Marlins could make him their long man and give his rotation spot to Valente Bellozo, who had a 3.67 ERA in 13 starts last season. But Bellozo hasn’t been sharp so far this spring (9 hits, 5 runs in 5 ⅔ innings).
▪ On the flip side, Weathers has been outstanding, with seven strikeouts and no runs or hits allowed in 4 ⅓ innings.
And Meyer, due to start Saturday night, had a strong first start (three scoreless innings), unveiling a new sweeper and sinker that have complemented his slider (his best pitch) and his fastball.
“He’s spent the offseason working really hard on incorporating these” new pitches, McCullough told reporters in Jupiter, including fishonfirst.com. “He’s been facing hitters now for a while. This guy was a first-round pick. There’s always been a lot of talent there.”
▪ Alcantara, back from Tommy John surgery, looks as good as ever, hitting triple digits on the radar gun and showing command with his exceptional changeup and slider.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Alcantara will be on an innings limit, “particularly early in the season, leaving the potential for him to pitch into October if necessary. Teams are already wondering whether Alcántara will be available at the trade deadline, with the Marlins far from contending and his contract running through 2026 with a club option for 2027.”
▪ The battles for starting jobs in left field (Griffin Conine/Kyle Stowers) and center field (Dane Myers/Derek Hill) remain too close to call. Stowers and right fielder Jesus Sanchez also are getting reps in center.
Conine is hitting .176 (3 for 17, four strikeouts), but Stowers is at .200 with nine strikeouts in 20 plate appearances.
The Marlins are eager to see what they have in both players, but it remains to be seen if either can consistently hit big-league pitching.
In center, Myers is hitting .273 (3 for 11) with five walks and four strikeouts. Hill is hitting .238 (5 for 21) with two walks and six strikeouts.
Former Cubs/Reds/Mets center fielder Albert Almora Jr., trying to win a job as a non-roster invitee, is hitting .133.
The Marlins say they haven’t signed an established big-league outfielder because they need to get definitive reads on what they have with Conine, Stowers and Myers.
FYI: Left-hander Dax Fulton, the 2020 second-round pick, has looked sharp (three scoreless innings) in his return from his second Tommy John surgery.
▪ Shortstop Max Acosta, one of three players acquired in the Jake Burger trade with Texas, has flashed this spring, getting on base in 6 of his 14 plate appearances, with a home run.
Acosta, 22, played all of last season at Double A, where he posted a .288 batting average and .353 on base average, with 23 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 58 RBI over 104 games. He was very good in the Arizona Fall League and figures to make his big-league debut this season if he plays well at Triple A Jacksonville.
▪ One key Marlins pitcher is injured: Left-hander Andrew Nardi, who has tightness in his back. He has discontinued his work toward a return and will be evaluated in the next few days.
If Nardi begins the season sidelined, which seems increasingly likely, keep in mind that the Marlins have only one other left-handed reliever on their 40-man roster: Anthony Veneziano, who has a 5.40 spring ERA. “We really like the stuff and the pitches that he’s throwing,” McCullough told reporters, via mlb.com.
Josh Simpson or John Rooney (who struggled badly Friday) also could make the team as a lefty reliever, but a spot on the 40-man roster would need to be cleared for either of them.
Emerging right-hander Jesus Tinoco and veteran Calvin Faucher are in line to receive most, or all, of the save opportunities.
▪ Liam Hicks, plucked from Detroit in the Rule 5 draft, has caught both of Alcantara’s first two starts and appears very likely to make the team.
He has just 2 hits in 11 at-bats (with two walks) but has been very good defensively.
Starting catcher Nick Fortes (3 for 10 this spring) is out with a groin contusion, but it isn’t considered a long-term injury.
Agustin Ramirez, the Marlins’ catcher of the future, is 2 for 11 this spring. He will likely begin the season in Triple A.
This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 4:11 PM.
