The Marlins experiment with AJ Puk as a starter failed and he will be moving back to the bullpen as a reliever. He is currently on the injured list due to left shoulder fatigue so when he returns, he will make the change. This comes at a time when the Marlins rotation is filled with injuries. Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Braxton Garret, and recently Jesus Luzardo are all out. With Puk moving back to the bullpen, this will leave another unfilled spot on their rotation.
According to #Marlins manager Skip Schumaker:
When A.J. Puk returns it’ll be out of the bullpen.
As for Sixto Sánchez, it depends whether he gets another start. See how today goes first.
— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) April 24, 2024
Marlins AJ Puk Moves Back To The Bullpen
The left-handed pitcher AJ Puk made a monumental change during the offseason. Puk went from being a relief pitcher to a starting pitcher. Most likely, in part, due to the injuries and holes the Marlins had in their rotation at the time. 2023 as a reliever, he had a 3.97 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 13 walks in 56.2 innings pitched. He has a 0-4 record in four games with a 9.22 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, and 17 BB in 13.2 innings pitched. Control seems to be the underlying problem in his struggles. His walk count has already surpassed his 2023 walk count. The left-hander’s recent move to the injured list comes as no surprise. His arm could not handle the load of a starting pitcher.
Despite having a slow start in the majors, he was amazing during spring training. In his four starts in the Grapefruit League, he allowed just three runs with a 1.32 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched. With these numbers, it is understandable why the Marlins thought he would be a quality starter.
Manger Skip Schumaker Speaks On Puk
ESPN’s Christina De Nicola reports that Schumaker says his move is not due to performance but to concerns with his health.
“We’re kind of still walking through that exactly on what that looks like — if it’s a few innings out of the bullpen, one inning — we’re not really sure,” Schumaker said. “We want to make sure he’s healthy first, but I think you’ll see him in the bullpen.”
Now that five of the Marlins starters are out, they will look to Edward Cabrera, Max Meyer, and Ryan Weathers to helm the rotation.
Main Photo Credits: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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