PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The ace pitcher for the Miami Marlins, Sandy Alcántara, made a promising return to the mound during a spring training match against the New York Mets on Sunday. This appearance marks an important step in his recovery following elbow surgery that sidelined him throughout the previous season.
The 29-year-old right-hander showcased his abilities, demonstrating a skill level reminiscent of his previous performances. In a standout moment, Alcántara delivered a powerful 99 mph fastball to strike out Jose Siri, completing a scoreless inning on the field. Over the course of his outing, he threw a total of 17 pitches and allowed just one hit.
The Marlins are optimistic about Alcántara’s potential to regain the level of performance he exhibited in 2022, a season that saw him earn the prestigious NL Cy Young Award with an impressive 14-9 record, maintaining a 2.28 ERA and amassing 207 strikeouts in a remarkable 228 2/3 innings pitched.
However, his following season did not mirror the previous year’s success as he finished with a record of 7-12 and a rise in ERA to 4.14. This led to the necessity of undergoing Tommy John surgery on October 6, 2023. The team’s focus now remains on Alcántara’s recovery and the possibility of a triumphant return to form for the upcoming season.
