The Miami Marlins are dealing with a setback as closer Pete Fairbanks heads to the injured list for 15 days due to nerve irritation. He started experiencing hand numbness during last night’s game against the Dodgers and had to leave early. In his place, the Marlins have brought up lefty Cade Gibson from Triple-A Jacksonville.
Fairbanks hasn’t had the smoothest start in Miami. He’s given up 10 runs over nine innings, with four walks and one hit batter. While he has saved five out of six chances, he’s also allowed three runs in three different outings, making his last appearance particularly tough.
In last night’s game, Fairbanks entered with a 4-2 lead but struggled. He walked two batters and left the game with the bases loaded after the team noticed his hand discomfort. Tyler Phillips then took over but allowed a walk-off, two-run single to Kyle Tucker.
Signing a one-year, $13 million contract in the offseason, Fairbanks was a key target for Miami, especially after the injury to Ronny Henriquez. The Marlins’ President of Baseball Operations, Peter Bendix, was previously the GM in Tampa Bay, where he became familiar with Fairbanks’s talent.
While the team hopes Fairbanks’s stay on the injured list will be brief, he does have a history of nerve issues. These have been linked to Raynaud’s syndrome, which causes reduced blood flow and numbness in fingers, especially in colder weather. Interestingly, the cold wasn’t a factor last night, leaving the connection to Raynaud’s unclear. Last season, Fairbanks spent three weeks on the injured list due to a similar problem.
As the team adjusts, Phillips, Anthony Bender, and Michael Petersen each have a save to their name early in the season. The next few weeks will determine who steps up as the primary closer while Fairbanks recovers.
According to recent statistics from MLB, injuries to pitchers have surged this season, making it crucial for teams to adapt quickly. This trend reflects the increasing pressure on players to perform at high levels while managing their health. The Marlins will need to navigate these challenges carefully as they aim for a successful season.
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