Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez will miss the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery, as announced by the team on Thursday. Pérez had initially been diagnosed with mild inflammation in his right elbow after experiencing discomfort during spring training. Despite meeting with Dr. Keith Meister, surgery was not recommended at first. Pérez had made four spring training appearances but started the season on the injured list, with hopes of progressing to a bullpen session soon. However, the decision for surgery came after a second meeting with Dr. Meister.
The 20-year-old Pérez made his debut last May as Miami’s youngest starting pitcher. In his first 11 major league starts, he had a 5-3 record with a 2.36 ERA and 61 strikeouts. The Marlins were cautious with Pérez’s workload, managing his pitches and innings when he first joined the team. By the end of the 2023 season, Pérez had a 5-6 record with a 3.15 ERA over 91 1/3 innings. Pérez’s injury further depletes an already struggling rotation for the Marlins, with ace Sandy Alcantara already sidelined for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October.
In addition to Pérez and Alcantara, the Marlins rotation is also missing right-hander Edward Cabrera, who is on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement but has started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville. Left-hander Braxton Garrett is also sidelined with a left shoulder impingement. The Marlins’ rotation has been hit hard by injuries, contributing to their worst start to a season in franchise history. After making the playoffs last season, the team opened the 2024 campaign with a seven-game losing streak, facing numerous challenges in their pitching staff.
The loss of Pérez for the entire 2024 season adds to the Marlins’ pitching woes, as they look to navigate through a challenging season with a depleted rotation. With key players like Pérez, Alcantara, and others sidelined with injuries, the team will need to rely on depth and resilience to stay competitive in a tough division. As they work to overcome their early struggles and injuries, the Marlins will need to make adjustments and find ways to keep their pitching staff performing at a high level despite the setbacks they have faced. The road ahead will be challenging, but the team remains focused on turning their season around and staying in the playoff race.
The Marlins’ pitching staff has been a key strength in recent seasons, but injuries have taken a toll on their rotation heading into the 2024 season. With several key pitchers sidelined, including Pérez and Alcantara, the team will need to rely on younger and less experienced arms to step up and fill the void. The Marlins’ success will depend on their ability to overcome these challenges and find ways to compete with the rest of the league, despite the setbacks they have faced early in the season. As they navigate through a difficult stretch, the Marlins will look to regroup, stay focused, and continue their pursuit of success in a competitive division.
