Injured Miami Marlins ace made a bold statement

The Miami Marlins need "all hands on deck" for the stretch run, and it doesn't help when the ace is injured. I'm of course talking about The Fish's ace Sandy Alcantara. Sandy has a riught UCL sprain, which sounds ominous as UCL injuries can lead to the dreaded Tommy John Surgery. Sandy is a competitive leader however and had some bold things to say...

Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara is not giving up on pitching this season

Sandy Alcantara was very good from 2017 to 2021. He had a combined 3.49 ERA/4.04 FIP, with 8.0 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 86 games and 487.1 innings pitched. He took it to another level last season of course, when he won the National League Cy Young award. He earned it by delivering an otherworldly 2.28 ERA/2.99 FIP, with 8.1 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 28 games and 184.2 innings pitched. He was worth an amazing 7.8 WAR.

Sadly, things haven't gone as smoothly for Sandy this season. The ace currently has a 4.14 ERA/4.03 FIP, with 7.4 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 28 games and 184.2 innings pitched. He's been worth 3.1 WAR so far. Sandy hasn't been himself this season, so the injury could have affected his performance. I'm concerned about what happens next. The sensible option might be to shut him down until next season, and reevaluate his health in the off-season.

Sandy had this to say:

"I feel good, but not the same that I felt earlier this year, because I got hurt a couple weeks ago. But I've just got to keep believing in myself. I know I can pitch this year, so hopefully I can do my best to be back."

Manager Skip Schumaker said that Sandy's situation will be evaluated daily, and that no firm decision has been made. Sandy threw 20 pitches from his entire arsenal on Monday as he keeps himself in playing shape. I hope that whatever decision is made, Sandy Alcantara is not rushed to the mound. His health has to be the priority here, and an unhealthy Sandy wouldn't pitch too good anyway.