Major news on a Miami Marlins ace for 2024

Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara won the 2022 National League Cy Young award, and made more history even in his down season. Sandy started having elbow issues this season, and after attempting to return in time for the playoffs, he was shut down for the season. Today was a pretty sad day for both the Miami Marlins and Sandy Alcantara...

Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara just had Tommy John Surgery.

Sandy Alcantara was a steal for the Miami Marlins in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. 2018 to 2020 saw Sandy emerge as a top of the rotation arm for The Fish. He was pretty solid with a 3.69 ERA/4.45 FIP, with 7.2 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 45 games and 273.1 innings pitched. He did a lot better in the 2021 season, finally officially emerging as a top of the rotation arm.

Sandy had a 3.19 ERA/3.42 FIP, with 8.8 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 33 games and 205.2 innings pitched. This was his breakout season and he was worth 4.2 WAR. This performance was a precursor for his historic 2022 season. Perhaps some warning signs were here as well, as he was pitching deeper into games than other starting pitchers around the game.

2022 may go down in history as Sandy Alcantara's trademark season. He won the National League Cy Young award for producing a 2.28 ERA/2.99 FIP, with 8.1 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9. He led the Major Leagues in 6 complete games too. He also led all pitchers with a 7.8 WAR. It's undoubtable that he was the best pitcher in the game that season.

2023 was a different story for Sandy. He delivered a disappointing 4.14 ERA/4.03 FIP, with 7.4 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 28 games and 184.2 innings pitched. It wasn't a bad season, but it wasn't close to what he was able to accomplish in 2022. He was worth 3.4 WAR this season. Sandy's performance problems were likely to have been caused by his elbow issues. He was then shut down to heal. Sandy tried to return for the playoffs, but was shut down again, this time for the rest of the season.

Today, Sandy Alcantara announced that he's had Tommy John Surgery and will miss the entire 2024 season. He said:

“With a heavy heart, I want to let everyone know I had Tommy John surgery today and will miss next season. I am most saddened for the great Marlins fans, who were so supportive of me and the team this year. The drive to the playoffs was thrilling for all of us.”

I wish Sandy Alcantara a speedy recovery and to resume his career as an ace once again. As sad as it might be to say considering these news, the Miami Marlins might not be as affected next season. Eury Perez (3.15 ERA) will pitch more innings; Jesus Luzardo (3.63 ERA/3.55 FIP) can take further steps forward; Edward Cabrera will hopefully pitch like he did since he returned from the Minors; Braxton Garrett broke out (3.66 ERA/3.68 FIP) this season; and I have high hopes for Trevor Rogers.