Marlins' Sandy Alcántara: A Record-Breaking Opening Day Start
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- The Marlins' Sandy Alcántara is set to make his franchise-record sixth opening day start for Miami, according to AP News. This decision comes six weeks before the Marlins' season opener on March 27 against Colorado.
Following a challenging 2024 season, during which he missed the entire year due to Tommy John surgery, Alcántara's return to the mound for the Marlins was marked by a remarkable comeback. In the previous season, he posted an 11-12 record with a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts, showcasing his resilience after a challenging stretch of seven consecutive losses and a two-month win drought amid trade speculation.
The 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner and two-time All-Star demonstrated his prowess in the second half of the season, going 7-3 with a 3.13 ERA over his last 12 starts. Manager Clayton McCullough expressed pride in Alcántara's ability to push through last season's challenges, highlighting his strong finish.
Peter Bendix, the team's president of baseball operations, noted the positive transformation in Alcántara's performance in the latter part of the season, describing it as a 'rehabbing in the big leagues on the fly' in the first half, followed by a significant improvement in the second half.
Alcántara, a 30-year-old right-hander, boasts an impressive career record of 52-67 with a 3.65 ERA in 177 games (169 starts). His only eight relief appearances came during his brief stint with St. Louis in 2017, before being traded to Miami in a deal that sent Marcell Ozuna to the Cardinals.
During his Cy Young Award-winning season, Alcántara excelled with a 14-9 record, a 2.28 ERA, and 207 strikeouts in a league-leading 228 2/3 innings. The team's video announcement of the decision showcased Alcántara's enthusiasm for the opportunity, emphasizing his competitive spirit and eagerness to contribute.
Looking ahead, Alcántara is set to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic next month, providing him with valuable preparation. Manager McCullough is confident that Alcántara will be physically ready and well-prepared for the Marlins' opening day, picking up where he left off.
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