9:21PM: Sanchez has chosen to become a free agent, Azout reports (X link).
5:26PM: The Marlins have taken Sixto Sánchez off the roster. Miami announced that the former top pitching prospect went unclaimed on waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Jacksonville. Sánchez has the requisite service time to become a minor league free agent, though the Fish didn’t announce that he has already done so. Miami also outrighted left-hander Josh Simpson and selected the contract of righty Luarbert Arias.
Sánchez was the centerpiece of the J.T. Realmuto trade return. The 6’0″ righty was regarded as perhaps the best pitching prospect in MLB at the time. Sánchez never came close to meeting those lofty expectations. Shoulder injuries have largely derailed his career, as Sánchez has lost huge chunks of time to the IL over the past half-decade. He didn’t throw a single MLB pitch between 2021-23. Sánchez returned to log 35 2/3 innings in a swing role this season, but he surrendered more than six earned runs per nine. Shoulder inflammation ended his season in early June.
Simpson, 27, has yet to make his MLB debut. He had been on the 40-man roster since the end of the 2022 season. Simpson lost most of this season to an ulnar nerve injury that required surgery. He allowed 14 runs (11 earned) across 16 innings between three minor league levels. He’s also likely headed to minor league free agency.
Arias, 23, would have joined them on the open market if the Fish didn’t put him on the 40-man roster. The Venezuelan-born righty had a nice year in a late-inning role for Jacksonville. Arias posted a 3.04 earned run average through 68 innings. He fanned upwards of a quarter of opponents against a 9.3% walk rate. He’s a pure reliever who can compete for a spot in a wide open bullpen as he tries to earn his first big league call.
Isaac Azout of Fish on First first reported that Miami outrighted Sánchez off the roster.
So sad for him with all the injuries. I was thrilled when he first came in the majors, he looked like fire his rookie year ! I thought for sure this guy would be a star back then
If you have a “shoulder “ you’re done. See what happens with Woodruff….
I believe Jimmy Nelson for the Brewers a few years back, he was never the same.
Mike Minor & Kyle Wright
On a personal level, my ex had 3 shoulder surgeries and still can’t use her arm normally. I’m sure a player’s care is superior to what she got.
Maybe pitching out of the bullpen would be better for Sixto. Might put less wear on that fragile arm
@basedball yep probably a dodgers reclamation project.
Not sarcasm.
Honestly surprised a team like the A’s or White Sox didn’t grab him as a lottery ticket, he’s still just 25
He’s easier (and possibly cheaper) to pick up as an FA.
Devastated for Sixto especially after the brief glimmer of hope early on this season. Was genuinely can’t miss TV when he came up. Here’s praying he can find a role in the bigs like adrian morejon did. Although Sixtos injuries are much more significant than Morejons
Second Sixto to ever to play in MLB. I’ll take the 1979 version of Sixto tho.
If I had a child with Sixtoes, naturally I’d have them be a swimmer.
I imagine having six toes would make it difficult to properly develop good pitching mechanics, thus leading to injuries.
dodgers on their way to make him legendary again
I would be surprised if the Mariners don’t make a valid effort to nab him. Maybe a minor-league deal with incentives.
Oh my! First we lose all these relievers, some of which I forgot pitched for us, and now we lose Sixto! When will breaking up this juggernaut team end! Don’t tell me we’ll let Vidal Brujan go next!
Not the injuries or any other excuses . He gained weight and his body can’t perform like that. ‘Esta gordo, sobrepeso’