Here’s a bold statement: Sandy Alcántara is making history—again. The Miami Marlins’ ace has been officially named the Opening Day starter for a franchise-record sixth time, and this announcement is anything but ordinary. But here’s where it gets controversial: After a 2024 season sidelined by Tommy John surgery and a 2023 campaign that saw him struggle early before roaring back in the second half, is Alcántara truly back to his Cy Young-winning form? Or is this a risky bet on past glory?**
Manager Clayton McCullough didn’t mince words when asked about the decision. ‘It was one of the easiest calls I’ve had to make coming into camp,’ he said, six weeks ahead of the Marlins’ March 27 home opener against the Colorado Rockies. Alcántara’s resilience last season, particularly his 7-3 record with a 3.13 ERA in his final 12 starts, seems to have cemented his spot. But let’s not forget the first half of 2023, where he went nearly two months without a win amid swirling trade rumors. And this is the part most people miss: Was that late-season surge a sign of a full recovery, or just a temporary flash of brilliance?
Peter Bendix, the team’s president of baseball operations, is optimistic. ‘We saw the real Sandy in the last two or three months of the season,’ he said. ‘He was essentially rehabbing in the big leagues last year, and the rust was evident early on. But the second half? That was the Sandy we know and love.’ Still, the question lingers: Can he sustain that level of performance over a full season?
At 30 years old, Alcántara’s career numbers are impressive: a 52-67 record with a 3.65 ERA in 177 games (169 starts). His 2022 Cy Young season, where he posted a 2.28 ERA and 207 strikeouts in a league-leading 228 2/3 innings, remains the gold standard. But after surgery and an uneven 2023, is that version of Sandy still within reach? Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Is the Marlins’ decision to rely on Alcántara a smart move, or are they placing too much faith in a pitcher who’s faced significant challenges in recent years?
In a team-released video, Alcántara expressed gratitude for the opportunity. ‘I came here to compete for a spot—No. 1, No. 2, whatever,’ he said. ‘I’m super excited to be back on the mound for the Marlins.’ He’s also set to pitch for the Dominican Republic in next month’s World Baseball Classic, which McCullough believes will help him get stretched out before returning to camp. ‘We’ll pick up where he leaves off,’ McCullough said. ‘By Opening Day, I expect Sandy to be right where he needs to be.’
But here’s the counterpoint: With the WBC workload added to his plate, could Alcántara risk overexertion before the season even begins? And if he struggles again early on, how patient will the Marlins—and their fans—be?
Love him or question the decision, Sandy Alcántara’s sixth Opening Day start is a moment worth watching. What do you think? Is this a brilliant move by the Marlins, or are they setting themselves up for disappointment? Let us know in the comments!
