Perez to start season on IL, facing multi week absence

*Photo from Fish Stripes*

   Miami Marlins RHP Eury Perez will start the season on the 15 Day IL due to right elbow inflammation, according to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald.

   The inflammation revealed upon testing will keep Perez out for multiple weeks but surgery is not needed at this time. Perez initially experienced soreness in his elbow on March 14, the day after exiting a start early due to discomfort stemming from a broken nail on his finger. Further examination has come back clean outside of the inflammation.

   Perez has been dealing with nail issues this spring. He cut a start short on March 2 since a broken nail was impacting his slider. He wore a fake nail his next time out while avoiding his slider. His nail has since grown back and he is starting to get back to a normal throwing routine.

   Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said "Then kind of a build-up from there that most pitchers go through after a period of downtime. Catch leads into potentially multiple days of catch, leads into a bullpen session, live BP, games. It's all based on kind of how he feels."

   The injury to Perez is the latest roadblock in the Marlins rotation before the season kicks off. Staff ace and 2022 NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara will miss all of 2024 due to Tommy John Surgery. Lefty starter Braxton Garrett will also miss the start of the season due to left shoulder soreness while Edward Cabrera will also miss time thanks to right shoulder impingement.

   Before Perez's 2023 was cut short due to left SI joint inflammation, he was enjoying a strong rookie campaign. He posted a 3.15 ERA, 4.11 FIP, and 1.128 WHIP, averaging 10.6 strikeouts per 9 innings while throwing 91 1/3 innings over 19 starts. He finished in 7th in voting for NL Rookie of the Year.

   With Perez, Garrett, and Cabrera all sidelined to begin the season, the Marlins will break camp with a starting rotation of Jesus Luzardo, AJ Puk, Ryan Weathers, and Trevor Rogers, with the 5th starter yet to be determined. Luzardo will be the opening day starter on March 28 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.