Miami Marlins’ Woes: Eury Perez’s Elbow Ailment Adds to Pitching Woes
Perez’s tribulations began to mount on Thursday, just a day after he departed prematurely from his outing due to discomfort caused by the aforementioned broken nail. The Marlins wasted no time in initiating imaging and diagnostic tests, with ongoing assessments slated for the coming days.
The young pitcher’s struggles with the broken nail have persisted since his second spring start on March 2, and his participation has been limited to a mere eight innings across four spring appearances.
During his most recent outing on Wednesday, Perez’s discomfort forced an early exit after just 14 pitches. He attributed the discomfort to the artificial nail he had been utilizing to protect the broken one, noting that it had begun to lift slightly.
Marlins pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr., reflecting on Perez’s performance before news of the injury broke, observed subtle alterations in his mechanics during the game, signaling a potential concern.
“When you see those adjustments,” remarked Stottlemyre, “it’s time to call it a day.” The Marlins disclosed on Friday that Perez’s throwing regimen would be halted for three to four days, casting doubt on his ability to shoulder a heavier workload as initially anticipated for the upcoming season, contingent upon the severity of his elbow ailment.
Perez burst onto the MLB scene with much anticipation on May 12, making his debut at the tender age of 20 years and 27 days. His inaugural appearance etched him into Marlins history as the youngest pitcher to debut for the franchise and the youngest Dominican-born starting pitcher in MLB history.
Over the course of his rookie campaign, he amassed 19 starts, showcasing a commendable 3.15 ERA across 91 1/3 innings. His stellar performance included 108 strikeouts while issuing only 31 walks, holding opposing batters to a paltry.214 batting average.
Regrettably, Perez’s setback adds to a growing list of injuries plaguing the Marlins’ starting rotation this spring. Left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrett, a mainstay in the rotation towards the end of the previous season, encountered shoulder soreness at the outset of camp, delaying his throwing progression.
While Garrett has since resumed bullpen sessions, his availability for the upcoming season remains uncertain. Similarly, Edward Cabrera’s start on Sunday was cut short due to shoulder tightness, revealing a right shoulder impingement following MRI scans.
Despite Cabrera’s recent progress in playing catch, his readiness for the season opener remains uncertain.ย Stottlemyre lamented the spate of injuries befalling the Marlins’ pitching corps, emphasizing the significance of the affected players to the team’s success.
“It is frustrating,” he conceded, acknowledging the prevalence of similar challenges across MLB clubs. Nevertheless, the Marlins must navigate these obstacles with resilience and adaptability as they strive for a successful campaign ahead.