In his first appearance on the mound in 521 days, Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara showcased his signature velocity and poise in a 1-1 tie against the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon at Clover Park. Alcantara, who had not pitched in a game since undergoing Tommy John surgery on October 6, 2023, returned to the mound with a dazzling display, reaching 99.3 mph on the radar gun and tossing a scoreless inning in his Spring Training debut.
Velocity has always been a key component of Alcantara’s game, and Sunday was no exception. The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner has long been recognized for his overpowering fastball, and his performance in this Grapefruit League contest proved that he’s back to his dominant self. In 2023, only Reds right-hander Hunter Greene had a higher average fastball velocity (98.3 mph) than Alcantara’s 97.8 mph. On Sunday, five of his 17 pitches (13 strikes) clocked in at 99 mph or higher, a feat no other Major League starter has matched so far this spring.
Alcantara’s outing began with his trademark fastball, firing a 97.8 mph first pitch to Mets leadoff hitter Luisangel Acuña, who hit a soft lineout to first. After Mark Vientos singled to right, Alcantara induced a ground ball from Brett Baty that appeared to be a tailor-made double play. However, second baseman Javier Sanoja bobbled the ball, allowing only one out. Alcantara finished his inning with a 98.7 mph sinker that José Siri swung through for strike three.
Despite the long layoff due to his Tommy John surgery, Alcantara exceeded his own expectations. “I honestly wondered if I might walk a batter because of the rust,” he admitted after the game. “But it turns out there was no need to worry.” His performance highlighted his remarkable recovery from surgery and his readiness to contribute once again to the Marlins’ pitching staff.
The 29-year-old ace hadn’t pitched in a game setting since a rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on September 21, 2023. His recovery journey included playing catch for the first time on March 9, 2024, and throwing live batting practice on March 17. While there was a possibility of Alcantara returning late in the 2023 season if the Marlins were in postseason contention, his recovery was carefully managed to ensure he would be ready for the 2024 season.
Alcantara’s return to the mound is a huge boost for the Marlins, who get back one of the game’s most reliable workhorses. Prior to his injury, he led all qualified pitchers in innings pitched (858 1/3) since 2019, including back-to-back 200-plus inning seasons in 2021 and 2022. His 6.66 innings per start over the past three years were the highest by any qualified starter in a three-year span since Corey Kluber averaged 6.74 innings per start from 2016-2018.
The Marlins also welcomed a new batterymate for Alcantara in the form of Rule 5 Draft selection Liam Hicks. Despite having never played above Double-A, Hicks caught Alcantara for the first time in a game setting. This new pairing marks a new chapter in Alcantara’s Spring Training preparations as he gears up for his fifth consecutive Opening Day start. Miami has already announced that Alcantara will take the mound on March 27, 2024, for the season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates at loanDepot park.
With Alcantara’s return, the Marlins hope to get back to their competitive ways, bolstered by the ace’s elite performance and durability. His return also offers a glimpse into the future, as he is set to anchor the pitching staff once again in 2024.
The Marlins’ next Spring Training game is on Tuesday, March 25, against the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Fans can expect to see more of Alcantara as he continues his progression toward Opening Day.
