Marlins Starter Dan Straily Could Be Done for 2018

After suffering an oblique injury last week, Miami Marlins starter Dan Straily may be done for the 2018 season.

The news of an oblique injury to Miami Marlins starter Dan Straily meant the starter could miss time in the team’s rotation. Now, it appears the injury could end his season and also might end his tenure in a Marlins uniform.

"“Chances of Dan Straily pitching again this season were diminished on Tuesday when the Marlins right-hander experienced some discomfort while playing catch at Citi Field,” Joe Frisaro of MLB.com wrote. “Straily, dealing with a left oblique strain, now faces the possibility of being done for the season.”"

Straily suffered the oblique strain against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 7 and had to leave the game. It’s a situation the Marlins will deal with with a handful of games remaining on the schedule. First, replacing Straily in the six-man rotation. The future of their veteran to be decided this offseason.

"“I know he wants to pitch,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “Wanting to and being able to are two different things. We’ll just see. We’re a ways away, and we don’t have a long way to go.”"

This is not how the Miami Marlins wrote this script. Injuries to the rotation have been a stinging sensation most of the season. Straily, who won 10 games last year, started 2018 on the disabled list with inflammation in his forearm. Caleb Smith, Jose Urena, Sandy Alcantara, and Pablo Lopez have all missed time on the mound due to injury.

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Straily had been the subject of trade talk at the MLB deadline and was a possible candidate for the waiver trade deadline. He had shown consistency over the second half of the season and had become the leader of the rotation, an innings eater and a veteran presence.

It’s an injury that continues to affect him in simple, routine activities Mattingly points out.

"“First day he tried to throw,” Mattingly said. “It was light. He was feeling nothing and when he played catch, and then he could feel it.”"

The Marlins continue their road trip with the New York Mets. Alcantara will take the mound, trying to win his third start in as many games for Miami. The rookie has a chance to be the ace of this staff next season, a role that Straily had taken over the past few months.

"“Straily made 23 starts and posted a 5-6 record with a 4.12 ERA in 122 1/3 innings. The right-hander had been getting better as the season progressed,” added Frisaro. “In five August starts, he had a 3.13 ERA, and in his lone start in September, he allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings at Pittsburgh before he was lifted due to the oblique strain.”"

The Marlins have added plenty of arms to their pitching staff with the September roster expansion. Mattingly could use one of his young pitchers to replace Straily or he could use a five-man mix, with the bullpen seeing more work.