A.J. Puk Continues Opening Day Preparations Against Arizona
The Miami Marlins are in a bit of a starting pitching pinch at the moment.
With ace Sandy Alcántara already out for the season (Tommy John surgery), the usual rotation roles have had to adjust for his absence. But some lingering injury questions to Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Max Meyer (rehab) mean that one recent addition is now sitting with a clear path to a rotation spot.
A.J. Puk, the lefty who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics in a straight trade for outfielder JJ Bleday, is now on the inside track to a rotation spot. He's continuing to stretch out after four major league seasons as a reliever. He performed admirably out of the Miami bullpen last season, covering 56.2 innings with a 3.97 ERA and 15 saves.
And the transition is going well this spring. Across his first two starts, covering five innings, Puk has struck out nine and not allowed a run to score.
Here's how the defense will set up behind Puk as he continues stretching out for Opening Day:
3B Jon Berti
CF Nick Gordon
LF Bryan De La Cruz
RF Avasaíl Garcia
SS Vidal Bruján
1B Trey Mancini
C Nick Fortes
2B Tristan Gray
DH Curt Casali
Bryan Hoeing is among the pitchers scheduled to follow up Puk.
Here's how the home team, the Washington Nationals, will line up in Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach:
LINEUP NOT YET AVAILABLE
How to Watch the Miami Marlins on Saturday, March 9th
Subscribers to MLB.tv can watch today's game, which starts at 6:05 PM ET, on MLB.com. For those who don't subscribe, the Marlins radio broadcast can be found on WAQI 710.
Managing Editor for Blackerby Media, covering the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins Also: Senior Baseball Writer for Auburn Daily, member of both the National College Baseball Writers Association and Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (where he won the 2023 Prospects, Minors, & College Writer of the Year award)