Marlins Notes: Sixto, Wendle, Advisors
Sixto Sanchez hasn’t pitched since his breakout 2020 rookie season, and naturally, “the frustration was really high” for the right-hander as he continued to battle through shoulder injuries. “It was really hard because it was just setback after setback, and just trying to come back and see that and trying to maintain that positive energy was very difficult. But thank goodness we’re here where we’re at right now and looking forward,” Sanchez told MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola and other reporters. After two full missed seasons and a pair of shoulder surgeries, Sanchez has thrown five bullpen sessions to date, and estimates that he is around 85% readiness as he heads into what he hopes will be a healthy and uninterrupted Spring Training.
It has been just over four years since the Marlins dealt J.T. Realmuto to the Phillies for a trade package that included Sanchez as a centerpiece. The right-hander looked to be living up to the hype in 2020, yet two lost years has basically led to a reset on Sanchez’s career. As he prepared to return to action, Sanchez’s commitment to health extends beyond just shoulder rehab, as he has also lost 46 pounds since last year after adopting new diet and training methods.
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- Manager Skip Schumaker discussed the team’s lineup with reporters (including Jordan McPherson and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald), including the specific mention that “Joey Wendle is our shortstop.” With Miguel Rojas traded to the Dodgers, the versatile Wendle looks to have dibs on the starting shortstop job, though utilityman Jon Berti will also get some playing time and prospect Jacob Amaya could be on the longer-term radar. Though Wendle has only 647 2/3 career innings as a shortstop, his glovework at the position has been sharp, as per positive reviews from such metrics as Outs Above Average (+3), UZR/150 (+5.3) and Defensive Runs Saved (+8). Getting Wendle’s bat back on track will also be a priority for the Marlins, as Wendle hit only .259/.297/.360 in 371 plate appearances during a 2022 season hampered by hamstring injuries.
- Terry Collins, Jim Riggleman, and Dave Wallace have all received consideration for advisory roles with the Marlins, the New York Post’s Mike Puma writes. All three have decades of baseball experience in a variety of positions, and all trio all worked in the Dodgers organization when Marlins GM Kim Ng was Los Angeles’ assistant general manager.