On Tuesday, Miami Marlins right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara returned to the mound for his first live batting practice since undergoing Tommy John surgery last October to repair a torn ligament in his elbow. This marked a significant milestone in his recovery process.
During the session, Alcantara threw approximately 20 pitches, reaching impressive speeds between 97 and 99 mph. His ultimate goal is to be back on the field at the beginning of the next season.
Reflecting on the experience, Alcantara expressed his eagerness to move beyond throwing in bullpens. “I’ve been getting tired of just throwing bullpen,” he stated before the Marlins’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “I think today was a big step for me to be out there. One inning. 20 pitches. Live BP. Everything feels good.” He emphasized that the primary focus of the session was to gauge how his fastball felt, adding that it “felt good.
A few teammates observed his performance from the dugout, and manager Skip Schumaker was quick to commend Alcantara’s progress. He noted that Alcantara appeared to be in “opening day form,” highlighting the effort and dedication Alcantara has shown throughout his rehabilitation. “It was really impressive. All the hard work that he’s put into this thing, the training staff, the pitching coaches. It was a really big day,” Schumaker remarked.
At 29 years old, Alcantara has not pitched in the major leagues since he experienced discomfort during a game against the Washington Nationals on September 3, 2023. Following that game, he was placed on the injured list and attempted a minor league rehab start, which was cut short due to ongoing discomfort. Ultimately, he underwent surgery in October to address his elbow issues.
“It’s been hard for me being out, sitting, watching,” Alcantara admitted. “A guy like me, who always likes to compete, it’s hard for me. At the same time, it feels good because I’ve been traveling with the team and supporting them, and we’ve had fun together.” His competitive spirit is evident as he looks forward to rejoining his teammates on the mound.
In the previous season, Alcantara had an outstanding performance, finishing with a record of 14-9 and a career-best ERA of 2.28. Notably, he led the league with six complete games and was recognized as the Marlins’ first-ever Cy Young Award winner.
While Alcantara is uncertain about when he will participate in another live batting practice, he is firmly focused on being ready for the opening day, scheduled for March 27 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. His determination and progress are promising signs for both him and the Marlins as they look to the future.