Marlins Starter To Be Out Until Mid-Season

The Miami Marlins have an elite young pitching staff. One of those talented arms, however, won't be starting the season as hoped. 23-year-old righthander Sixto Sanchez, who underwent shoulder surgery last July, has had a bit of a setback, and likely won't return until July of 2022 (assuming the season has started by then.)

Sixto Sanchez doesn’t have a new injury but it’s taking a bit longer than originally hoped to return from shoulder surgery done in July. Hope and expectation now is he’ll be back by midseason. @CraigMish 1st mentioned an issue

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 3, 2022

Sanchez didn't throw a pitch for the Marlins in 2021, after first injuring the shoulder at the end of spring training. In November, he posted a workout video, and said "Well, in my mind, I believe I'm 100 percent. Thank God. Thanks to the hard work I've been doing every day at the training room and weight room. I feel 100 percent, and you will see a new version of Sixto Sánchez."

Unfortunately, we might have to dial back that 100% a bit for now. 

When he was healthy, in the shortened 2020 season, the then-21-year-old looked like a future mainstay in the Marlins' rotation, posting a 3.46 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. 

The Marlins rotation is stacked heading into 2022, headed up by ace Sandy Alcantara, along with NL Rookie of the Year runner-up Trevor Rogers, Pablo López, Jesús Luzardo and Elieser Hernandez.

Photo Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports