The Marlins kicked off Spring Training with a potential injury scare in the rotation, as Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald relays that, per manager Skip Schumaker, southpaw Braxton Garrett is dealing with “general soreness” in his left shoulder. While shoulder injuries are among the more concerning ailments for pitchers, Schumaker made clear that Garrett hasn’t been shut down at this point with the club instead planning to “push back” the start to Garrett’s spring “until he feels better.” McPherson adds that Garrett continued to play catch late last week.
Garrett, 26, has quietly broken out as a quality mid-rotation arm for the Marlins over the past two seasons. In 48 appearances (47 starts) since the start of the 2022 season, Garrett has posted an impressive 3.63 ERA with a nearly-matching 3.64 FIP across 247 2/3 innings of work. During that time, the lefty has struck out a respectable 23.8% of batters faced while walking just 5.1%. The youngster’s strong peripheral numbers are rounded out by his ability to generate grounders, which he has done at an above-average 48.7% clip over the past two years. With Sandy Alcantara set to miss the entire 2024 campaign while rehabbing Tommy John surgery, Garrett figures to slot in toward the front of the Miami rotation this season alongside the likes of Jesus Luzardo and Eury Perez.
With Garrett’s health uncertain entering camp, it’s fair to wonder what impact his status may have on the club’s trade talks regarding members of their rotation. The Marlins have long been known to be listening on their controllable starting pitching in hopes of addressing other areas of their roster, with Luzardo receiving attention from the likes of the Orioles and Dodgers while the Pirates have also reportedly shown interesting in the club’s available rotation arms. While it’s unclear what impact, if any, Garrett’s current shoulder issue would have on his availability in trade, it’s possible the Marlins may be more hesitant to shop any of their starting options until they have more certainty on Garrett’s status. After all, a hypothetical trade of Luzardo would leave the Marlins with only Perez, Edward Cabrera, and Trevor Rogers as surefire starting options entering the 2024 season if Garrett were to require time on the injured list.
More from the NL East…
- The Phillies have long been hoping to extend veteran ace Zack Wheeler, and comments from Wheeler himself last week indicated that the sides have opened extension talks with Spring Training now underway. While Wheeler indicated that he’s open to negotiating even once the season begins, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski indicated to reporters (including Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer) that while extending Wheeler is a “priority” for the club, his preference is for the sides to come together on a deal before the regular season begins. Wheeler has established himself as one of the league’s premiere starters since first suiting up for the Phillies during the shortened 2020 campaign. During his time in Philadelphia, the right-hander has pitched to an excellent 3.06 ERA with a 2.90 FIP in 101 starts during the regular season and has augmented that resume with an incredible 2.42 ERA in 63 1/3 postseason innings.
- Victor Robles has patrolled center field for the Nationals on a regular basis ever since his rookie season back in 2019, though it’s possible that could change entering the 2024 season. As relayed by MASN’s Mark Zuckerman, manager Dave Martinez told reporters recently that there will be a “battle” between Robles and 24-year-old rookie Jacob Young for the starting center field job, though Martinez added that Robles has “a little bit of an upper hand” coming into camp. Robles has largely been a plus-glove center fielder with below average offense throughout his career, though in 2023 he appeared to flash more offensive upside as he slashed a solid .299/.385/.364. Unfortunately, that slash line came across just 126 trips to the plate as Robles spent most of the year on the injured list due to back injuries. Young, meanwhile, held his own in a 33-game cup of coffee in the majors last year with a decent .252/.322/.336 slash line in 122 trips to the plate.
- Braves left-hander Tyler Matzek missed the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery, but he told reporters (including Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) that he’s feeling good entering Spring Training and hopes to be ready for Opening Day, though he didn’t rule out a possible IL stint to open the season if he needs time to finish preparing to retake the mound. The 33-year-old’s return to the mound figures to provide a significant boost to Atlanta’s relief corps, as Matzek pitched to strong results over three seasons with the Braves prior to the injury. In 132 combined appearances, the southpaw posted a 2.92 ERA with a 3.34 FIP in 135 2/3 innings of work as he struck out 27.4% of batters faced.
Luzardo and even Cabrera need to stay put if Braxton is on hold. Eury was never going anywhere. Has anyone seen Trevor Rogers toss this Spring?
just read fromMiami reporter that Rodgers is playing catch but not burning it yet. They are saying he is ‘healthy’ but Fish will be cautious. Best I got for you
Thank you!
If Garrett’s injury is more serious, would they be more inclined to not trade Luzardo (to remain semi-competitive), or trade Luzardo (somewhat punting the season)?
I would think the former, but I have no special information here.
Sounds like they are negotiating to sign a FA shortstop but otherwise mostly done for the offseason
If Garrett gets shutdown for a significant amount of time they should trade luzardo (heck they should trade him anyways). I remember when Tyson Ross was a front of the rotation arm and padres held onto him when they were considering trading him only to have his shoulder give out. The marlins aren’t doing anything in that division – they should rebuild.
That is a really good question. If Garrett is out for a large part or all of 2024 would the Marlins decide to maximize Luzardo’s value and trade him for a prospect that has a shot at making the 2025 roster?
I tend to think if Garrett is hurt it’s a better reason to trade Luzardo. They will get Alcantara back next year and Perez will hopefully be able to throw more innings at that point.
If the Marlins and Orioles work out a deal the Orioles can send them back a depth starter like Cole Irvin. He can fill in until the Marlins starters get healthy.
Perez threw 128 innings in 2023. He will not be limited in 2024.
@websoulsurfer
@Blackpink in the area has been trying to sell the whole Luzardo to the O’s for garbage on multiple article posts, and using multiple ways to try to give a reason as to why the Marlins should do it. All the while he/she denies being an O’s Homer and O’s fan.
Multiple Marlins fans have called the ridiculous notion out everytime he/she has posted them.
You don’t go from 128 innings to making 32 starts and then potentially pitching in the postseason
He is ABSOLUTELY limited in 2024
@Blackpink in the area
Still trying to sell that Luzardo to the O’s for garbage return I see.
Give it up already.
And you say that you’re not an O’s Homer and not an O’s fan, but you keep avoiding answering who you root for. If you’re not an O’s Homer, then who do you root for?
And why are you so obsessed with trying to sell the Liuzardo to the O’s for garbage so much? And why are you doing it if you aren’t an O’s Homer?
@Manny
Bethancourt caught Rogers bullpen. He may not be 100% yet, but he can be seen on some of the footage on the Marlins website
Can’t wait to get Matzek back.
It’s a top priority but not during the season? Here is an offer on June 5 and you won’t sign it because the season is going? Grow up and sign the contract.
“Grow up and sign the contract.”
Teams put off completing offers all the time. And teams have all sorts of various arbitrary policies on when they will agree.
Grownup is to do what is right for your family. Not because Mrski wants it.
Wheeler said he’s open to negotiating even after the season starts, and Dombrowski said his preference is to get it done before the season starts. Where does it say that he won’t sign a contract during the season?
MrsKi, how does when he or anyone signs their contract affect your life really? And “I don’t like it” isn’t an answer to the question I pose. Cadogan, posted a response that is based in reason. His career is HIS career and HE will do what’s best for HIS career, family, and life. You don’t matter in that equation. If anyone needs to “grow up”, it is you.
Someone getting antsy ATL-native Wheeler getting closer to FA and we have a redo (of Nola’s offer) with ATL making a larger offer than PHI, but maybe a different outcome?
You are running DMC with a dream. Wheels isn’t going anywhere my would be rapper friend, just like the Braves in post season.
Is that mr.ski or mrs.ski ? I don’t want to insult a lady to badly for such a ridiculously inane comment.
Wheeler’s been way underappreciated. Last 3 seasons fWAR, and his rank in the NL.
2021 = 7.2 (2), Cy Young Voting? #`2
2022 = 4.2* (8), Cy Young Voting? None
2023 = 5.9 (1), Cy Young Voting? #6
*Pitched only 153 innings, missed 6 starts
2021-2023 = 17.3 (1)
Wheeler has produced more fWAR than any pitcher in MLB for the last 3 years, or last 4 years or last 5 years. He’s only 0.3 fWAR behind Gerrit Cole over the past 6 years.
How many years would you extend Wheeler? The extension will begin in his age 35 season. I don’t think I would guarantee more than 3 years. I think it may be a mistake to extend him now without seeing how he holds up physically next year. Dombrowski extended Sale a year before he needed to and it went really bad from there.
Wheeler should get at least a 4/120M extension.
5 years/170 million
It’s not about how many years I’d give him. It’s about how many years and how much 1 of the 30 teams will give him.
Garrett threw the highest number of innings of his career last year almost doubling his previous high. This is not a coincidence.
If Braxton needs to be shut down for awhile, the options to replace him include Max Meyer, Ryan Weathers, Sixto Sanchez, A.J. Puk and maybe Dax Fulton. Since all of these guys are untested and unproven, I would hold off on any trade talks involving Marlins pitchers until Braxton’s status is cleared up and he’s given a clean bill of health.
@MarlinP. Thanks, you sort of answered my question above> I was wondering if Luzardo becomes even more available if Garrett is out for a long time, just because they might have a tough time being competitive in 24 without Alcantara and Garrett out.
Puk and M. Meyer are interesting options. I still think the Marlins should only trade a pitcher if they are getting an elite position player prospect in return.
@MBMVP
At this point, though I wouldn’t totally rule out a trade, l’d say the Marlins’ asking price just skyrocketed. Need one of our pitchers? Now it’ll cost you two elite position players.
Marlins have already said they were moving Puk into the starting rotation.
Web
Ok, I thought that it was assumed but not announced
Luzardo, Cabrera, Garrett, Rogers and Puk for now
If matzek looks like a shell of his 2021 self, this bullpen is easily one of the best, if not the best, in all of baseball. Sorta depends if Lopez is truly gonna be a starter or not, but still. It’s sooo loaded
If rodgers or meyer were at the very least serviceable. The marlins wouldn’t even consider moving Luzardo or Cabrera
Looks like that kills any possibility of the Padres trading for Luzardo or Garrett unless the injury is serious and the Marlins are just starting another rebuild since Garrett and Alcantara are out.
Well, let’s see where this Garrett injury does.
“Meanwhile” has to come at the beginning of the sentence, not in the middle between commas.