BREAKING: Edward Cabrera Leaves Game During Warmups with 'Right Shoulder Tightness'
The Miami Marlins must be getting worried about their Opening Day rotation.
With Braxton Garrett slowed by a shoulder issue in spring and the team still trying to get Max Meyer and Sixto Sanchez back into game shape after missing time with injury, there were lingering questions about what starters would be available for the March 28 home opener versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The concerns are now amplified with Edward Cabrera leaving today's Grapefruit League game after doing...well, something during warmups.
Marlins righty Edward Cabrera leaves the game today before throwing a pitch. pic.twitter.com/STm0ExeEVr
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) March 10, 2024
You can see, if you scroll to the 48-second mark of the clip, Cardinals broadcaster Chip Caray runs the replay and an injury isn't readily apparent.
But after consulting with training staff, Cabrera walks off the mound and does not return, with Miami making the switch to lefty Devin Smeltzer to start the game.
It was already a tenuous rotation to start the season, with longtime reliever A.J. Puk stretching out for a starting role and Miami sending reliever Ryan Weathers out as a starter this spring, including today's split-squad matchup at Houston.
But with one or even potentially two relievers in the Opening Day rotation, innings will still be a concern for Miami. It's hard to go from a 50 or 60-inning workload to much more than 100 in a single offseason, especially if that pitcher wasn't able to put in significant work into their conditioning and stamina over the offseason.
And so, some of the 40-man roster depth - Bryan Hoeing and Darren McCaughan - will become more important as we get into the regular season. Let's hope this isn't anything significant and Cabrera will be able to make it back shortly after Opening Day.
UPDATE: The team has announced that Cabrera's removal was a precaution due to "right shoulder tightness."
Marlins starter Edward Cabrera left today’s game during warmups with what the club is calling right shoulder tightness. Calling it precautionary. All of a sudden the names Ryan Weathers and Max Meyer become way more important than they were 90 minutes ago.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) March 10, 2024
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)