Tag Archive for: MLB

Marlins closer ‘either perfectly high or perfectly low’

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Miami Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks is going through the most lopsided case of a Jackal and Hyde season.

It almost depends entirely on what colored pants he’s wearing.

If they’re white pants, then he is every bit of the closer that the Marlins expected when they made him the largest free-agent contract for a reliever in franchise history, worth $13 million over this season. In 10 appearances at home, Fairbanks has allowed only two runs on four hits with 16 strikeouts in 9.2 innings pitched (1.86 ERA). He is also 6-for-6 in save opportunities.

If they’re grey pants, then to call him to the mound is to invite chaos. In six road appearances, he has given up 12 runs (10 earned) in 4.2 innings (19.29 ERA) for three losses and two blown saves.

In an interview with MLB.com, Fairbanks properly described the early part of his Marlins tenure as “a chaotic two months.”

“It’s like the drop at Mr. Freeze in Six Flags St. Louis: It’s either perfectly high or perfectly low,” Fairbanks said. “There’s been no middle ground of the roller coaster. It’s either been lights-out, or it’s been every light is on.”

The Marlins (26-32) clawed back from a five-run deficit to tie the game 7-7 against the New York Mets, only to lose in extra innings on a walk-off home run. Fairbanks threw consecutive fastballs against MJ Melendez and earned a 0-2 count. He shook off a pitch called by assistant pitching coach Rob Marcello and went with a 98.4 mph four-seam fastball, expecting it to work like the previous two.

Instead of the same pitch yielding the same result, Melendez sent it to the upper deck for a walk-off home run on Friday.

“So maybe that’ll be the switch we need,” Fairbanks said, “just no [shake-offs] the rest of the year.”

The Marlins will look to snap their three-game losing streak on Saturday with Tyler Phillips on the mound.

Marlins Close Homestand With Series Win Over Washington

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MIAMI — The Miami Marlins closed out their 10-game homestand on a high note, defeating the Washington Nationals 5-2 on Sunday to win the weekend series at loanDepot park. The Marlins end their 10-game homestand with a 4-6 record. 

Christopher Morel drove in his first run of the season for the Marlins in the eighth inning, scoring Esteury Ruiz on a single to put the Fightin’ Fish ahead 3-2. 

Ruiz came in as a pinch runner and stole third base before scoring on Morel’s base hit. Miami got the next two runs on a single by Heriberto Hernandez, who led the Marlins at the plate with a 2-for-4 performance. 

Sandy Alcantara returned to his formidable self. The Marlins ace lasted six innings allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. 

James Wood led off the game with a double to left field. He was later tagged out in a rundown between third base and home plate. Alcantara escaped the first inning with a ground out and a strikeout. 

The Marlins scored two runs in the third inning to establish an early lead. Joe Mack led off the rally with a walk and eventually scored on back-to-back singles by Xavier Edwards and Liam Hicks. Edwards then scored on a fielder’s choice to make it 2-0. 

The Nationals struck back in the fourth inning and cut the Marlins’ lead in half. Luis Garcia Jr. led off the inning with a triple and scored on a ground ball by Brady House to make it a 2-1 game. The Nationals tied the game 2-2 in the fifth inning. Jorbit Vivas led off with a base hit and later scored on an RBI double by Garcia Jr. Both Garcia Jr, and Lile led the Nationals with two hits a piece.

Alcantara had one strikeout in the first inning and didn’t punch out another batter until he got two swinging in the sixth inning. Calvin Faucher earned the win with two hitless innings of relief. Josh Ekness, who made his MLB debut at the beginning of the homestand, earned his first career save after getting the final out.

Game 2: Marlins 8, Nationals 7

The Marlins hit three home runs to power past the Nationals 8-7 on Saturday at loanDepot Park.

Stowers went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double to lead the Marlins at the plate. He is batting .304 (7-for-23) in his last seven games.

James Wood opened the game with a lead-off home run to give the Nationals an early lead. Luis Garcia singled and Brady House doubled to set up a two-run single by CJ Abrams, putting Washington up 3-0 in the first inning. Abrams struck again with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly to extend Washington’s lead to 4-0. Abrams went 2-for-5 to raise his batting average to .295 on the season.

The Marlins bats came alive in the fourth inning. Otto Lopez led off the rally with a single, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. He scored on a Stowers’ first home run of the season to cut the Nationals’ lead in half, 4-2.

Connor Norby reached base on a throwing error by Abrams in the sixth inning. He stole second base and later swiped third after Jakob Marsee drew a walk. Norby scored on a sacrifice fly ball by Owen Caissie to make it a 4-3 game.

Edwards’ fourth home run of the season tied the game in the seventh inning. The Marlins’ second baseman has homered in two consecutive games, both off left-handed pitching.

The Marlins took the lead in the eighth inning after a big four-run rally. Stowers led off the inning with a single and Norby drew a walk to set up a three-run home run by Jakob Marsee. Esteury Ruiz came into the game as a pinch-hitter and produced a double. He stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Leo Jiménez to put Miami up 8-4.

Game 1: Nationals 3, Marlins 2

Jacob Young hit a two-run home run in the first inning to lead the Nationals to a 3-2 win over the Marlins on Friday at loanDepot park.

The Marlins (17-22) have dropped to 2-6 during their current 10-game homestand. Miami has started all three series with a loss, four straight series going back to the Marlins’ last series win at Los Angeles at the end of April.

Marlins pitching prospect Robby Snelling lasted five innings in his Major League debut. All three of his earned runs allowed, and both of his strikeouts, came in the first inning.

The Nationals provided some quick adversity for the 22-year-old with two outs. CJ Abrams hit an RBI single to score Curtis Mead, who reached on a double. Abrams scored on Young’s homer to give Washington an early 3-0 lead.

The Marlins struck back in the bottom of the first with a leadoff home run by Xavier Edwards, his third of the season. Otto Lopez extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a double. He scored on a throwing error to put the Marlins within a run at 3-2.

Three of the Marlins’ five hits came from Lopez, who went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

Marlins Shock Orioles With Walk-off Win to Avoid Series Sweep

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MIAMI — The Miami Marlins snapped a four-game losing streak and defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 to avoid a series sweep on Thursday at loanDepot park.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the game tied, Javier Sanoja hit a ground ball to third baseman Coby Mayo, who bobbled the ball and threw it past first baseman Pete Alonso, leading to Joe Mack to score the winning run.

Mack came in later in the game as a defensive replacement at catcher and came through with a double in his only plate appearance. The rookie catcher is 3-for-10 in his first four games as a big leaguer.

Liam Hicks hit a two-run homer in the first inning to set the tone for the Fightin’ Fish and give Miami a 2-0 lead. He took an 88.3 MPH slider from Baltimore southpaw Cade Povich deep to right-center field for his ninth home run of the season.

The Orioles cut the Marlins’ lead in half at the top of the third. Coby Mayo reached base on a single to shortstop and Jeremiah Jackson drew a walk. That set the table for an RBI single by Gunner Henderson to put Baltimore on the board, 2-1.

The Marlins negated Baltimore’s process in the bottom half of the third inning with a run of their own. Sanjoa led off the inning with a walk and Otto Lopez singled to advance him to third base. Connor Norby drove Sanoja home on a ground ball single to left field.

The Orioles would not go quietly. Samuel Basallo led off the fourth inning with a double to center field and scored on a Tyler O’Neill single to make it a 3-2 game.

The Orioles rallied in the eighth inning to tie the game 3-3. Taylor Ward led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Dylan Beavers. Alonso came through with an RBI single to score Ward.

Max Meyer went five innings for the Marlins with two runs allowed on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 94 pitches. Calvin Faucher earned the win with a scoreless ninth inning. Marlins rookie pitcher Josh Ekness gave up the first run of his short big league career in the eighth inning.

Game 2: Orioles 7, Marlins 4

Pete Alonso hit a three-run homer to set the tone for the Orioles in a 7-4 win over the Marlins on Wednesday at loanDepot park. It was the “Polar Bear’s” only hit of the game, but he made it count. A walk and a hit-by-pitch set the stage for his blast in the first inning. 

The Marlins fought back in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game. After back-to-back fly outs to lead off the inning, Connor Norby reached on a walk and Kyle Stowers singled to spark the rally. 

Jakob Marsee drove them home on a two-run double, and later scored on a sharp single by Owen Caissie to make it a 3-3 game. 

The Orioles took back the lead in the fourth inning and never looked back. Leody Taveras hit a two-out double and scored on a ground-rule double by Dylan Beavers to put Baltimore up 4-3. 

Pérez nearly escaped the fifth inning unscathed, but Taylor Ward drew a walk on a 3-2 count. He then scored on a double to right field by Adley Rutschman, extending the Orioles’ lead to 5-3. 

Eury Pérez went five innings with five runs allowed on four hits, five walks, and six strikeouts. 

Much like the fifth inning, Ward drew a walk and Rutschman struck again in the seventh inning on an RBI double. Rutschman finished with a 2-for-3 night to raise his batting average to .313 on the season. 

After being suppressed for five straight innings, the Marlins scratch across a run in the seventh inning. Otto Lopez hit a pinch-hit double to lead off the inning and scored after a pair of outs drove him home. 

The Orioles scored their final run in the eighth inning. Samuel Basallo singled to lead off the inning. He then scored on an RBI triple by Blaze Alexander. 

Dax Fulton went four innings in relief for his Major League Debut. He allowed two runs on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts. 

Game 1: Orioles 9, Marlins 7

Sandy Alcantara was ambushed by Baltimore’s bats as the Marlins opened the series with a 9-7 loss. The Orioles got to Alcantara in the first inning. Pete Alonso drove in two runs on a double to left field and scored on a double by Basallo.

Alcantara finished with seven runs allowed on eight hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 4.1 innings for the Marlins.

The Marlins scored their first run of the game as Xavier Edwards scored on a wild pitch by Baltimore pitcher Chris Bassitt. Xavier Edwards led off the inning with a single. 

The Marlins tied the game 3-3 in the second inning on a two-run single by Liam Hicks. The Marlins set the table up with a hit-by-pitch and two walks to load the bases. 

The game was tied 7-7 entering the ninth inning. With runners at scoring position, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz made the bold move to pinch hit for Samuel Basallo with Adley Rutschman facing Miami left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Nardi. 

The move paid off as Rutschman drove in the go-ahead run on a single to left field, followed by an RBI base hit by Leody Taveras. 

A sliding catch by Taveras prevented the Marlins from taking the lead. The Orioles took back the lead on a two-run single by Basallo to go up 5-3 in the third inning. 

Marlins rookie catcher Joe Mack drove in a run on a single for his first Major League hit. singles on a line drive to left fielder Taylor Ward. Kyle Stowers scores. Connor Norby to 2nd. 5-4

Basallo drove in another run on a triple in the fifth inning. He later scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Colton Cowser to add to Baltimore’s lead at 7-4. Basallo was a home run away from a cycle. 

The Marlins cut the Orioles’ lead to 7-6 in the seventh inning on back-to-back solo home runs by Liam Hicks and Otto Lopez. Esteury Ruiz came into the game as a pinch runner and scored the tying run in the eighth after stealing third base, which led to a throwing error from Basallo. 

Marlins OF Kyle Stowers Debuts at First Base

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Miami Marlins star outfielder Kyle Stowers played his first game as a big leaguer at first base on Sunday. 

Stowers went 0-for-4 and the Marlins lost 6-3 against the San Francisco Giants, dropping their fourth straight road series to start the season. 

Stowers is normally an outfielder and Gold Glove finalist at left field last year. The last time Stowers played first base was as a collegiate player at Stanford, which isn’t far from San Francisco. 

“To go out there in a Major League game, I thought he moved around well,” Clayton McCullough said during his postgame press conference. “We’ll see how he felt out there, but the first one, he stood up well. He handled himself well and he’s looked solid when he’s done his ground-ball work.”

The idea behind Stowers adding first base to his range of positions came up after the 2025 season, where he broke out with 25 home runs and 73 RBIs in 117 games. In six games back from injury this year, Stowers has gone 6-for-22 (.273) with three doubles.  

Both his previous season ended with injury and this season started with injury. During his minor league rehab assignment, Stowers played his first professional game at first base in Triple-A Jacksonville. 

McCullough previously stated the Marlins value versatility and sees first base as an option for Stowers to remain in the lineup during times of needing to reduce physical stress on the field. 

“We’ll see how much more we utilize him there,” McCullough said. “It’s certainly nice to have that option to start or maneuver in during a game.”

The Marlins head south to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers on Monday. Chris Paddack (0-4, 6.38 ERA) takes the mound for Miami against Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-2, 2.48 ERA). 

Jakob Marsee Homers But Marlins Lose to Cardinals

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MIAMI — Jakob Marsee went 3-for-4 with a home run, but it wasn’t enough as the Miami Marlins fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Tuesday.

In a very odd plate appearance, Marlins centerfielder Jakob Marsee lost grip of his bat and watched it fly above the St. Louis dugout. As a young Cardinals fan pried the bat from the netting like King Arthur pulled the sword from the stone, Marsee picked up another bat and hit a solo home run to tie the game 1-1 after the first inning.

The Cardinals struck first with a leadoff double by JJ Wetherholt, who scored on Alec Burleson’s single.

Wetherholt drew a walk in the third inning and advanced to third base on a single by Ivan Herrera. Burleson struck again, scoring Wetherholt on a fielder’s choice after the throw from Marlins first baseman Connor Norby went past catcher Liam Hicks.

The Cardinals added to their lead in the fourth inning. Masyn Winn led off with a single and scored on a two-run home run by Nathan Church, putting St. Louis up 4-1.

Burleson doubled to center field and scored on a single by Nolan Gorman in the fifth inning. Burleson went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Church, Herrera, and Winn each collected two hits for the Cardinals, who amassed 10 hits against Miami’s pitching.

Marlins right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack gave up five runs on eight hits with one walk and a season-high seven strikeouts. The Marlins bullpen combo of John King and Tyler Phillips combined to go 4.1 innings with only two hits allowed with five strikeouts.

Former Marlins reliever Ryne Stanek was tagged for two runs on one hit with three walks and two strikeouts. A series of walks loaded the bases for Heriberto Hernández to hit a two-run single to pull the Marlins within two runs in the eighth inning.

The rest of the St. Louis bullpen held the Marlins to one hit in three scoreless innings. Riley O’Brien secured his seventh save of the season and has maintained his 0.00 ERA.

Marlins right-handed pitcher Janson Junk (0-2, 4.50 ERA) will finish the six-game homestand he started on Wednesday at noon, while the Cardinals will send Kyle Leary (2-2, 5.21 ERA) with the series on the line.

Miami Marlins Reinstate Kyle Stowers Ahead of Brewers Finale

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MIAMI – After four straight losses and one win in the last seven games, the return of their star outfielder couldn’t come fast enough.

The Miami Marlins are set to reinstate All-Star Kyle Stowers from the 10-day injured list and drape him in teal for his season debut on Sunday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers at loanDepot park.

“Everything from the rehab checked out,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. “He continued to check the necessary boxes.”

Stowers spent five games at Triple-A Jacksonville for a minor league rehab assignment starting April 10. He played three games at left field, once at designated hitter and played his first game as a professional at first base on Friday. He was placed on the 10-day IL for a Grade 1 right hamstring strain in spring training.

“Certainly, there was a physical component with how he felt, how the hamstring was,” McCullough said. “I think he came out of that feeling like he’s in a really good spot physically, and also, I think mentally, now he feels like, ‘OK, I’m over this.’”

Stowers emerged as one of the best hitters in the National League. In 117 games, he hit 25 homers with 73 RBIs before a left oblique strain last August ended his season early. The Marlins managed a 8-5 record to start the season without him but with the Fightin’ Fish sputtering, it’s time for him to create a spark.

“He’s certainly a huge part offensively,” McCullough said. “It helps really lengthen out the lineup. The type of season that he had last year, the power, the on-base that he displayed. So getting Kyle back in the lineup will really be a nice boost, help lengthen some things out. And then also, Kyle’s a really steady teammate. A lot of guys lean on him. He’s not usually too up and down.”

Marlins fall to Brewers in extra innings

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The Miami Marlins forced extra innings but fell in the 10th inning to the Milwaukee Brewers in a 7-5 contest on Friday in Miami.

Otto Lopez led the Marlins at the plate with a 3-for-5 night in which he was a double shy of the cycle, The 27-year-old Lopez is having the best start of his career, slashing .347/.400/.583 in 19 games.

The Brewers (11-8) jumped on Marlins reliever Calvin Faucher in the 10th inning. Gary Sanchez drew a walk and Jake Bauers singled to load the bases with no outs. Luis Rengifo grounded on a fielder’s choice but the throw to the catcher didn’t connect, resulting in a run. Garrett Mitchell later opened the game up with a two-run double.

The Marlins (9-11) tied the game 4-4 in the eighth inning after Agustín Ramírez doubled to left field, scoring Edwards, who reached on a walk. Edwards also reached on a double in the sixth inning and scored on a two-run homer by Lopez.

The Marlins got their first run of the game in the fourth, when a sacrifice fly by Owen Caissie scored Lopez, who had reached on a triple.

Jones attempted to steal second base and Ramírez threw towards second base with nobody there to receive, resulting in a throwing error and the Brewers’ third run of the inning.

The Brewers added another run in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Rengifo, who went 2-for-4 on the night. Bauers led the Brewers at the plate with a 3-for-4 night and three runs scored.

Marlins starting pitcher Janson Junk allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, two walks, and three strikeouts in 5.1 innings. John King struck out two batters in 1.1 hitless innings and Tyler Phillips punched out three batters in 1.1 scoreless innings. Pete Fairbanks redeemed himself from two rough outings with a perfect ninth inning.

Brewers starting pitcher Coleman Crow allowed two runs on four hits and four strikeouts in 5.1 innings during his MLB debut. Abner Uribe earned the win after a hitless ninth inning after allowing two walks and a strikeout. Trevor Megill earned his fourth save of the season after giving up an unearned run and a hit with two strikeouts.

Marlins’ Andrew Nardi solid in return from injury

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For Miami Marlins reliever Andrew Nardi, the early portion of the 2026 season is an adjustment period.

In his return from missing an entire season due to injury, Nardi has made the physical adjustments leading up to his return to his mental adjustments playing in front of a crowd and in serious situations.

Nardi said in an interview with Five Reasons contributor Tyler Boronski that “it is a feeling that you have to get used to.”

“Definitely some new feelings I got to get used to again with the fans,” Nardi said. “I still hold the standard high. I obviously want to be doing well. I also have to give myself a little adjustment period to get back into the swing of things again, get used to the adrenaline rushes and stuff like that.”

While never an innings guy, Nardi has been Miami’s main weapon in high-leverage situations. He goes in, gets strikeouts, and calls it a day. In five appearances this year, the 27-year-old Arizona alum struck out six batters in four innings with only one earned run allowed.

“You just have to keep throwing strikes and your stuff will play,” Nardi said. “Just got to trust yourself.”

Nardi was nearly derailed by injuries since late 2024. He was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Aug. 24, 2024, due to an elbow injury and was transferred to the 60-day IL on Sept. 7 of that year. His 2025 was over before it started when he was placed back on the 60-day IL on March 15 due to severe lower-back inflammation that required extensive treatment, including an epidural.

“Last year was just a grind mentally and physically,” Nardi said.

Nardi described how he got through the mental hurdle post-rehab in spring training. He saw that the velocity of his pitches was lower than normal and made the conscious decision to trust that his body would not break under the force of his power.

He instantly saw the radar gun rise and hit 94 mph in his first spring training appearance.

“Just seeing my body be able to jump up and level each time just felt really good,” Nardi said. “As spring training kept going on, just sitting around 92-93 mph felt really good. I just felt like once I got to that point, I was able to compete.”

Nardi made his MLB debut on Aug. 16, 2022, and his first full season turned out to be his best season. He struck out 73 batters in 57.1 innings over 63 appearances with a 2.67 ERA, helping the Marlins reach the 2023 postseason. Before injuries cut his 2024 season short, Nardi struck out 70 batters in 49.2 innings over 59 games.

Marlins shut down by Reds in 2-0 defeat

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Tyler Stephenson hits a solo home run and Brandon Williams threw 6.2 shutout innings as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Miami Marlins 2-0 on Monday.

Williamson allowed three hits with four strikeouts and a walk. His gem lowered the Reds’ starting pitchers’ ERA to 3.00 on the season.

The Marlins (6-3) didn’t get their first hit of the game until Otto Lopez hit a single in the fourth inning. Lopez was the only Marlins hitter to get multiple base hits.

Agustin Ramirez hit a triple in the sixth inning, but was stranded after a strikeout by Reds reliever Brock Burke ended the inning. The Reds’ bullpen combined for one walk and two strikeouts in 2.1 hitless innings of work to end the game. Emilio Pagán earned his fourth save of the season with a perfect ninth.

Elly De La Cruz doubled and scored on a single from Sal Stewart in the fourth inning to score Cincinnati’s first run of the game. The star shortstop led the Reds at the plate along with Friedl with two hits each.

Marlins starting pitcher Janson Junk tossed a career high 7.1 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts in the loss. Junk has thrown seven innings only three times for the Marlins, all in 2025. Tyler Phillips came into the game in relief and finished it with 1.2 hitless innings and a strikeout.

The Marlins will send the ace back to the mound on Tuesday. Sandy Alcantara (0.00 ERA) threw a complete-game shutout with fewer than 100 pitches in his previous outing.

Kyle Stowers injury update

The Marlins started the season with their best hitter, left fielder Kyle Stowers, on the injured list (retroactive March 22) with a hamstring strain. The original projection was three to four weeks but was seen on Monday with the team during batting practice.

“Kyle is still here with us,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. “He was running today, and looks like he’s trending in a good spot, see how these next couple of days go, and then decide when and what a rehab assignment will look like.”

Braxton Garrett thriving in Jacksonville

Braxton Garrett shut down Sugar Land’s bats in 4.2 innings with eight strikeouts while allowing only two hits in Triple-A Jacksonville’s 2-0 win on Easter Sunday. He may be the clear choice for MVP of the defending national champions, as two of Jacksonville’s three wins this season were on days Garrett started. His 0.96 ERA is the third lowest in the International League.

Garrett missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John after other injuries derailed his 2024 season. When healthy, Garrett proved to be a solid pitcher for the Marlins. He made his MLB debut in the middle of a playoff race in 2020. His best season was in 2023, where he recorded a 3.66 ERA with an 8.79 K/9 in 31 outings, as well as starting in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card series against Philadelphia.

 

Ex-Marlins pitcher Valente Bellozo re-emerges with Rockies

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A former Miami Marlin emerges with a new team.

The Colorado Rockies have called up right-handed pitcher Valente Bellozo from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday, just in time for their weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Bellozo spent the previous two seasons with the Marlins, both as a starting pitcher and in the bullpen. The Marlins acquired him in a trade with the Houston Astros for Jacob Amaya on April 6, 2024. His best season came as a rookie in 2024, where he posted a 3.67 ERA in 13 starts as the Marlins were trading away veterans for prospects.

Bellozo started last season in the rotation but spent most of his appearances out of the bullpen, pitching in 32 games (6 starts) with a 4.65 ERA in 81.1 innings pitched. His WHIP remained consistent through both seasons (1.31-1.33) and he allowed 15 home runs each year regardless of his role.

The 26-year-old signed a minor league contract with the Rockies over the offseason. He made five appearances in spring training but only one start and he allowed 11 earned runs in 15.2 innings pitched (6.32 ERA) before being optioned to the minor leagues.

Bellozo made one start in Triple-A for the Isotopes before getting called up. He gave up three runs with four strikeouts in three innings in a 13-6 loss against the Oklahoma City Comets (Dodgers) on March 28.

Bellozo’s call-up coincides with Colorado placing veteran pitcher Jose Quintana on the 15-day injured list on Thursday (retroactive to March 30) with a right hamstring strain. Quintana, a 37-year-old veteran, began his 15th big league season against the Marlins on Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. The teal-clad Fightin’ Fish won the game 4-3 on a walk-off home run by Owen Caissie. 

As an example of the Rockies’ push to improve on the highest starting rotation ERA in history last year (6.65) with veteran free agents, Michael Lorenzen is slated to start in the Rockies’ (2-4) home opener on Friday, and Tomoyuki Sugano is set to appear on Sunday. Quintana’s start on Saturday is left open, however, it remains to be seen whether or not it will be filled by Bellozo.

Marlins trade with Twins

The Marlins traded right-handed pitcher Garrett Acton to the Minnesota Twins for minor league pitcher Logan Whitaker on Thursday, just before their first road series of the season

Whitaker showed his promise in Double-A Wichita last year when he allowed only three earned runs in 11 appearances with 16 strikeouts in 16.1 innings pitched. He will report to the Marlins’ Double-A affiliate in Pensacola.

Acton made six spring training appearances for the Marlins, but missed out on the Opening Day roster despite not giving up a hit and striking out six in 5.1 innings of work. He continued to shut down batters in Triple-A early this season, having allowed only one hit while striking out four in 2.1 innings pitched for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

The Marlins claimed Acton off waivers from the Rockies over the offseason, shortly after Colorado claimed him from the Tampa Bay Rays, where he made only one appearance in 2025. Acton made his MLB debut with the Athletics and made six appearances in 2023.

Acton was traded after being designated for assignment in a roster move corresponding with the Marlins trading for Toronto infielder Leo Jimenez on March 29. Jimenez, who made his Marlins debut on Wednesday, appeared in 18 games for the Blues Jays last season and 63 games in his rookie season in 2024.