Miami Marlins notes: Gutierrez, Puk, Cabrera

What an atrocious beginning to the season for the Miami Marlins! It might be a good time for a "what could have been" type thinking, and you can be excused for thinking that any hope for this season has sadly been lost. There are some new that we should take a look at however...

Terrible beginning of the season for the Miami Marlins in 2024.

The Miami Marlins made a roster move his weekend. The Fish said "adios" to right-handed relief pitcher Declan Cronin. Cronin produced a 9.00 ERA in 9 games and 11.0 innings pitched in 2023. He had 8 strikeouts and 7 walks in a pretty unimpressive debut. This season, Cronin only pitched in 2 games and 4.0 innings pitched. He produced a 0.00 ERA with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks. It's clear that he still has serious control issues. I do expect him to get called up at some point later this season.

Declan Cronin was replaced on the roster by righty relief pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez. Gutierrez had a career 5.44 ERA/5.61 FIP, with 7.0 K/9 and 4.2 K/9 in 32 games and 150.2 innings pitched. He didn't deliver so far in his call-up... he gave up 3 runs, 3 hits and 2 walks with 4 home runs in 4 innings. He also accumulated 4 strikeouts. Let's hope that he does better going forward.

I was seemingly right about my concerns of A.J. Puk turning from a reliever to a starter. Yes, it was only two innings and yes he was better in Spring Training. Spring Training results are skewed by the level of competition, as Major Leaguers face Minor Leaguers as well. He was just really bad, producing 4.50 K/9 and 27.00 BB/9, with a 18.00 ERA/12.95 FIP. Yes, those numbers are technically "exaggerated", but it just shows how bad he was. He also lost 2 miles off of his fastball velocity, going from 95.9 in 2023 to 93.3 in those two innings.

Starting Pitcher Edward Cabrera has thrown 39 pitches in a practice game. He also threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday. The question is now when he can make some rehab starts and come back to the team.