Sandy Alcantara’s Remarkable Comeback on the Pitch

Sandy Alcantara, the renowned Miami Marlins right-hander and 2022 NL Cy Young Award recipient, made his triumphant return to the mound on Tuesday. This marked his first live batting practice after having Tommy John surgery in October to mend a damaged ligament in his elbow.

Alcantara demonstrated his progress and determination by throwing around 20 high-speed pitches, approximately 97 to 99 mph. This is a significant stride towards his goal of returning to the field by the start of the upcoming season. “I was growing weary of merely pitching bullpen,” Alcantara confessed prior to the Marlins’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday evening. “Today was a monumental step forward for me. One inning. 20 pitches. Live BP. Everything feels in top shape.”

Marlins’ Ace Performance and Future Plans

Alcantara emphasized that this exercise was primarily to assess his fastball throw, which he said “felt good.” Several of his teammates congregated in the dugout to support and observe him pitch.

Skip Schumaker, the team’s manager, commended Alcantara’s progress, suggesting that he appeared to be in “opening day form.” “It was truly awe-inspiring. The amount of effort he’s put into his recovery, along with the support of the training staff and pitching coaches, made this a significant day,” Schumaker expressed.

Alcantara’s Journey Through Injury and Recovery

The 29-year-old Alcantara hasn’t had a major league pitch since he felt uneasiness during a game against Washington on September 3, 2023. After a brief period on the injured list, he attempted a minor league rehab start, but it was abruptly ended when he experienced discomfort again. Consequently, he underwent surgery in October.

“It’s been challenging for me to be on the sidelines, merely observing,” confessed Alcantara. “For someone like me, who thrives on competition, it’s been a tough ride. Nevertheless, it’s been rewarding as well, as I’ve been able to travel with and support the team, and we’ve had a great time together.”

In 2022, Alcantara achieved a career-best 2.28 ERA with a 14-9 record and led the major league with six complete games, earning him the Marlins’ first-ever Cy Young Award. While he remains uncertain about his next live batting practice, Alcantara is single-mindedly focused on preparing for the opening day on March 27 against Pittsburgh.

“I’ve just got to continue my hard work, get ready for spring, and compete for a spot,” Alcantara asserted. “It’s been quite a while since I last stood on the mound. Today was a fresh start. We have ample time to prepare for the opening day.”