Miami Marlins

The Eury Pérez era is here.

The Miami Marlins are calling up the 20-year-old pitching prospect and he reportedly will make his first MLB start Friday against the Cincinnati Reds (15-20), per Craig Mish of the Miami Herald.

According to MLB.com, Pérez is Miami's top prospect, the No. 3 pitching prospect and the No. 10 overall prospect.

At 6'8" and 220 pounds, Pérez is an imposing force. Per MLB.com's scouting report, he features a collection of nasty pitches:

Pérez's combination of size, stuff and polish is tough to top, starting with a fastball that parks at 94-97 mph and peaks at 100 and plays even better than its velocity thanks to its shape, running action and induced vertical break. His deceptive upper-80s changeup is just as nasty, generating an outstanding 61 percent swing-and-miss rate in 2022 thanks to its fade and tumble. After featuring an upper-70s curveball in the past, he added a tighter mid-80s slider last season that grades as plus more consistently than his bender.

In three minor league seasons, Pérez has posted a 2.85 ERA and 260 strikeouts in 186 innings. In six starts with the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos this season, he is 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA, a 0.81 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Earlier in May, Pensacola pitching coach Dave Eiland offered high praise for the young star (h/t Ben Weinrib of MLB.com):

The pitch package that he has ... he has a lot of weapons and there are a lot of areas and pitches hitters need to cover. A lot of that is because they're geared up for 99 [mph]. The hitters are just unsure of themselves and guessing a lot. That's a lot for a hitter to cover, anywhere from 83 to 100, different shapes to the pitches, different areas where he goes with the ball. When you have that type of equipment, that's what you get.

Add it all up, and Pérez seems uniquely qualified to make his MLB debut.

At 20-years-old and 27 days on Friday, Eury Perez will become the youngest MLB SP since Julio Urias made his debut in 2016.

The only younger MLB SPs this century: Urias, Felix Hernandez and Edwin Jackson.

Thanks to @baseball_ref's Stathead and @CarlosACollazo's help.

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) May 10, 2023

His May call-up makes sense, as Johnny Cueto and Trevor Rogers are on the injured list and Edward Cabrera and Braxton Garrett have been mediocre.

Jesús Luzardo has been the team's steadiest option in the starting rotation, though staff ace Sandy Alcantara has been solid in his last three starts after a pair of rough April outings.

Miami Marlins ace starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara will not make his scheduled start against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday because of biceps tendinitis, per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald.

Devin Smeltzer will take Alcantara's place for Game 1 of the team's road doubleheader beginning at 3:10 p.m. ET. Braxton Garrett will start Game 2 in the evening as previously scheduled.

Alcantara will not go on the injured list, and the Marlins are hopeful he will miss just one start and return during the team's road series against the Atlanta Braves, per McPherson. The star pitcher is currently scheduled to start the final matchup of that four-game set, which runs Monday through Thursday.

The 27-year-old went 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA (0.98 WHIP) and 207 strikeouts in 228.2 innings last year en route to the National League Cy Young award. This year has not gone as well, with Alcantara posting a 5.47 ERA in four starts.

He notably tossed a three-hit shutout against the Minnesota Twins on April 4 before allowing nine earned runs in his next outing versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

Alcantara's injury is another blow to a Marlins team that has suffered numerous ailments this year. Of note, starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Trevor Rogers, both of whom have biceps injuries, are on the 15-day injured list.

Still, the Marlins have weathered the early storm to finish over .500 (10-9) over the first 19 games, good enough for third in the NL East.

Miami Marlins star Jazz Chisholm Jr. has signed a contract with Jordan Brand, Roc Nation Sports announced Wednesday.

Chisholm is the fifth Major League Baseball player to sign with Jordan Brand, joining Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and free-agent pitcher David Price.

Chisholm said in a statement:

"It means everything to me. You know, I'm always the guy that never really wanted to do the same thing as people, I always wanted to be one of a few, you know, I mean not one of many, so it's great that this is what I always wanted and this is what I'm glad to be a part of."

JAZZ ✖️ JORDAN 💎 “It’s just iconic.” @j_chisholm3 is now one of five MLB players signed to @Jumpman23 & the first Bahamian athlete signed. pic.twitter.com/QxN0Nl21cn

— Roc Nation Sports (@RocNationSports) March 29, 2023

Chisholm is one of MLB's most exciting rising stars. During the 2022 season, he slashed .254/.325/.535 with 14 home runs, 45 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 60 games en route to an All-Star selection. Back pain sidelined him indefinitely last season after he appeared in 60 games.

The 25-year-old is entering his fourth major league season and is expected to pick up right where he left off in 2022.

Baseball fans who have recovered from the thrilling World Baseball Classic are going to be in for even more excitement this week with the start of the Major League Baseball season and release of MLB The Show 23.

The latest installment in the series is available to everyone on Tuesday. Gamers who preordered the deluxe and captain editions have had access to it since Friday.

Miami Marlins star Jazz Chisholm Jr. was announced as the cover athlete for this year's game in January.

Let’s get it! My spark can't be contained. ⚡️🤟🏾 #MLBTheShow #OwnTheShow #Ad #MLBTSPartner pic.twitter.com/Ez3ypzgHXr

— Jazz Chisholm Jr (@j_chisholm3) January 30, 2023

Chisholm was something of a surprise pick for the cover only because injuries have limited him to 184 games over the past two seasons. He was on pace to have a career year in 2022 before a back injury kept him out of action for the final 89 games.

Despite the 60-game sample size last season, Chisholm was one of the most exciting players in MLB. The 25-year-old finished with 14 homers, 45 RBI, 12 stolen bases and a .535 slugging percentage.

Chisholm is the first Marlins player ever to be on the cover of a video game.

The soundtrack for MLB The Show 23 features 29 songs, ranging from classic artists like Metallica, Eric B. & Rakim and The Roots to modern musicians including KAYTRANADA, Anderson .Paak, Doechii and SZA.

Here's the full list of songs and artists on the soundtrack, via Nikola Jovanovic of PrimaGaming.com:

• "6am" – Channel Tres

• "Birds of a Feather" – Phish

• "Blue World" – Mac Miller

• "Champions" – NLE Choppa

• "Don't Miss" – The Blue Stones

• "Forever Ting" – Tasha The Amazon

• "Get Inspired" – Genesis Owusu

• "Glowed Up" – KAYTRANADA feat. Anderson .Paak

• "I Ain't No Joke" – Eric B. & Rakim

• "Kimbo Slice" – Rexx Life Raj

• "Lux Aeterna" – Metallica

• "Narco" – Blasterjaxx & Timmy Trumpet

• "Pause Play" – Preme

• "Persuasive" – Doechii feat. SZA

• "Phonte" – Sweet You

• "Pink Slip" – White Reaper

• "Scenario" – A Tribe Called Quest

• "Section" – The Roots

• "See It Through" – Da'Mont and Cyoung

• "Shapes" – Poppy

• "Sticky" – Ravyn Lenae

• "Stop That" – Saba

• "The Boys Are Back In Town" – Thin Lizzy

• "The Fire" – The Roots

• "The Light" – Juice WRLD

• "Try Again" – Oddisee

• "Wasteland" – TALK

• "Watch Me Now" – The Crystal Method feat. Koda and VAAAL

• "Weight" – redveil

San Diego Studio has also added new features to celebrate the history of baseball in ways never before done in a video game.

The biggest addition in MLB The Show 23 is the Storylines mode that allows gamers to play as eight Negro Leagues icons, including Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Hank Thompson, Rube Foster, Buck O'Neil, John Donaldson and Martin Dihigo.

Storylines will focus on a specific Negro Leagues legend and take the gamer through important moments from their career. More players will be added with each new release of MLB The Show.

Gamers who pre-ordered the deluxe and captain editions of MLB The Show 23 are already enjoying their early access to the new baseball simulation that released on Friday.

The rest of the world will have to wait until Tuesday to get their hands on this year's game, but it looks like it will be worth the wait with the new features included by San Diego Studio.

After their stadium hosted the final two rounds of the fantastic World Baseball Classic, the good vibes for the Miami Marlins going into the 2023 season continue with All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr. gracing the cover for the new game.

Jazz Chisholm, from 🇧🇸 all the way to the #MLBTheShow 23 cover. 🎷😎https://t.co/B1gC8aM7Fh #OwnTheShow pic.twitter.com/nt21JygoRd

— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) February 8, 2023

Chisholm is the first Marlins player ever to be featured on the cover of MLB The Show since the series launched in 2006.

Ahead of the official release date of the new MLB The Show, here are some of the best new features and gameplay modes that fans can enjoy.

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Storylines

The biggest addition to MLB The Show 23 is the "Storylines" mode that will allow players to focus on a specific player in a narrative journey that will include gameplay featuring important moments from the player's career.

Storyline mode will have a specific focus on the Negro Leagues with a roster of eight players to choose from: Leroy "Satchel" Paige, Jackie Robinson, Andrew "Rube" Foster, Hilton Smith, Hank Thompson, John Donaldson, Martin Dihigo and John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil.

According to The Show's official website, every new launch of the game will "introduce a new group of Negro League Legends and their stories to pay rightful tribute to these mostly unknown baseball superstars."

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Enhanced Diamond Dynasty

Want to know what's new in Diamond Dynasty? Jazz Chisholm is here to give you the deets. #MLBTheShow #OwnTheShow pic.twitter.com/uqt2usG4T5

— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) February 21, 2023

San Diego Studios is increasing the amount of time gamers can use cards acquired in Diamond Dynasty mode, albeit under a unique circumstance.

Traditionally, players have only had a limited window of time to use a set of cards when they get them. There will still be a narrow period of time that most cards can get used, but it's not as stringent as it used to be.

Season 1 cards can be used in Seasons 1 and 2. Season 2 cards can be used in Seasons 2 and 3.

There will also be a Core set of cards released. These are available to use at any time in any season. MLB The Show is also making 99-overall cards available at launch with players able to start earning them through the various game modes.

San Diego Studios is also adapting a version of Theme Teams with captain cards. Captains have special boosts that can be earned if gamers meet the criteria to trigger them. Gamers can have a maximum of two captains on their team—one hitter and one pitcher.

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Addition of Universal DH and Two-Way Player

MLB The Show 23 is catching up to the rules in Major League Baseball.

After MLB adopted the designated hitter in both leagues as part of the new collective bargaining agreement last year, MLB The Show is adding it to the game this year.

Another big change is the chance to have more of an impact as a two-way player. The "Shohei Ohtani Rule" was another one of the changes adopted in the CBA last year. It allows pitchers to remain in the batting order as the designated hitter after they are pulled from the mound.

San Diego Studio is adding the rule to this year's simulation. Players who have a secondary position are eligible to stay in the game as your DH when you make a change on the mound.

Miami Marlins star Jazz Chisholm Jr. will grace the cover of MLB The Show 23.

Follow Jazz Chisholm's journey from a sandlot in The Bahamas all the way to the majors. #MLBTheShow #OwnTheShow pic.twitter.com/BO2z9upRZO

— MLB The Show (@MLBTheShow) January 30, 2023

"It means everything," he said of the honor. "I'm from the Bahamas. There's never been somebody from the Bahamas to be on a cover of a video game ever."

Chisholm is coming off an All-Star season in 2022. In 60 games, he had 14 home runs, 35 RBI, 12 stolen bases and a .254/.325/.535 slash line. Despite missing more than half the year, he was first among Marlins position players in WAR (2.6), per FanGraphs.

A back injury, eventually diagnosed as a stress fracture, sidelined Chisolm last June. Miami eventually shut him down altogether in September.

The 24-year-old figures to be a key player for the Marlins in 2023 and beyond, and his contributions next season will go a long way toward improving on a 69-93 record one year ago. Miami has also strengthened its lineup by acquiring American League batting champion Luis Arraez from the Minnesota Twins and signing Jean Segura.

Chisholm's contributions go beyond the box score. He's part of the younger generation challenging baseball's established norms regarding on-field celebrations. The center fielder explained to GQ's Tyler R. Tynes in July 2021 he wasn't worried about what his critics had to say:

"Why shouldn't I hit a homer and know that I got it and give a little show to someone? I don't have a problem if someone strikes me out and gives me a little shoulder shake or something. Aye, boy, you deserve it if you strike me out, because I'm tryna' put you in the upper deck! And when I put you in the upper deck, you gonna know I put you in the upper deck! If you're a pitcher and you froze me on the nastiest curveball you could've thrown and you wanna sit there and moonwalk after you punch me out, good luck. Because I'm gonna Michael Jackson moonwalk across home plate. You feel me? That makes the game fun."

Chisholm's talent and charisma make him a natural choice to be the face of baseball's most popular video game series.

MLB The Show 23 will be available on March 28. More information regarding the Collector's Editions of the game will drop Wednesday.

Miami Marlins owner Bruce Sherman shot down any rumors he could be selling the team.

"The Miami Marlins are not for sale, have not been for sale under my ownership and will not be for sale in my lifetime," he said to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. "It is irresponsible to report otherwise."

"It is and will continue to be a privilege to own this great organization. I look forward to seeing our loyal fans at Opening Day on March 30th."

The Los Angeles Times' Bill Shaikin and Mike DiGiovanna reported Monday that the Marlins and Baltimore Orioles "could go up for sale soon."

Marlins fans might not be happy to hear Sherman's comments.

The 75-year-old was part of the group that purchased the team in October 2017 for a reported price of $1.2 billion. Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter was the face of ownership, but Sherman held a controlling stake.

The Marlins began slashing costs almost immediately after the regime took over. Giancarlo Stanton, the reigning National League MVP, was traded to the New York Yankees that December. Christian Yelich was shipped out a month later and went on to win the NL MVP with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018.

Since the start of the 2018 season, Miami's Opening Day payroll has ranked 23rd, 29th, 27th, 28th and 26th. The 2023 season figures to be more of the same, with FanGraphs projecting the Marlins to have the 23rd-highest payroll ($103 million).

The handover from Jeffrey Loria, who was widely unpopular during his time as owner, to Sherman is evidence of how things don't always change for the better when somebody new is in charge. If Sherman were to sell, his replacement could put a similar emphasis on controlling costs.

For Sherman, there's a similar level of uncertainty over whether he could fetch the kind of fee he might be seeking in the event he ever did put the Marlins up for the highest bidder.

Arte Moreno announced Monday he was no longer exploring a sale of the Los Angeles Angels after starting the process last August. The Lerner family hasn't gone anywhere, either, after signaling last April that the Washington Nationals were for sale.

Last March, Forbes valued the Marlins at $990 million. They had the lowest valuation of any MLB team and were the only franchise that fell below $1 billion.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring shortstop Miguel Rojas from the Miami Marlins in exchange for shortstop Jacob Amaya, the team announced Wednesday night.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today first reported the news.

Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic previously reported the two sides were "deep in talks."

Rojas, who turns 34 years old on Feb. 24, hit .236 (.605 OPS) with six home runs and 36 RBI in 2022. He's spent his last eight MLB seasons with the Marlins after making his debut with the Dodgers in 2014.

Rojas has spent the majority of his time at shortstop over his career, but he's also played first, second and third base as well.

He's one of the game's top defensive stars at short. Per FanGraphs, Rojas finished fourth among all qualified shortstops in UZR (ultimate zone rating) and sixth in defensive runs above average in 2022.

Amaya was the Dodgers' No. 15 prospect, according to MLB.com.

The 24-year-old Amaya stands at 6'0" and 180 pounds. L.A. selected him with a 17th-round pick in the 2017 MLB draft.

Amaya's best trait is his fielding skills, with MLB.com reporting the following in its scouting report.

"Even when he slumped, Amaya continued to provide the best infield defense in the Dodgers system. His high baseball IQ and constant energy allow him to maximize his tools and play faster than his average speed. His quick, reliable hands and a strong, accurate arm help make him a plus defender at shortstop and will serve him well in a projected utility role."

However, Amaya made big improvements at the dish after hitting just .216 for Double-A Tulsa in 2021. He hit .264 (.870 OPS) with nine home runs and 26 RBI in 49 games for Tulsa in 2022 before earning the call-up to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Once there, Amaya hit .259 (.749 OPS) with eight homers and 45 RBI in 84 games.

Fish on the Farm gave its take on the move.

Jacob Amaya is a 24-year-old shortstop who hit .261/.369/.426 between AA and AAA in 2022. Good patience and solid on base skills with some decent pop. He also plays 3B and 2B. Could contribute shortly.

Good return for an expiry contract. Will be a #Marlins top 30 prospect. pic.twitter.com/6ZBXVCY7eF

— Fish on the Farm (@marlinsminors) January 11, 2023

As for Rojas, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN gave an idea on how he will fit with this team.

Can confirm reports that the Dodgers are on the verge of acquiring INF Miguel Rojas from the Marlins. Rojas, who came up with the Dodgers in 2014, would probably serve in the utility role vacated by Hanser Alberto -- but would see more playing time given the makeup of the roster.

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) January 11, 2023

Rojas is due $5 million in 2023 to culminate the two-year, $10 million extension he signed with the Marlins after the 2021 campaign. He helps fill the gap left by Trea Turner, who departed in free agency for the Philadelphia Phillies on an 11-year, $300 million contract.

The Miami Marlins have signed free-agent pitcher Johnny Cueto, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports it's a one-year contract with a club option for 2024 that guarantees Cueto $8.5 million.

Cueto spent the 2022 season with the Chicago White Sox, putting together his best season in more than half a decade. He went 8-10 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while largely staying healthy. His 158.1 innings pitched were the 36-year-old's most since 2016.

“What can I say?” Cueto told James Fegan of The Athletic in August. “First and foremost, I want to thank God because I’ve been healthy. I feel good and feel healthy.”

Cueto found late-career success last season while significantly cutting down his strikeout rate and pitching to contact. After striking out 7.4 batters per nine innings over the course of his career, Cueto finished with just 5.8 per nine innings last season.

“I haven’t been trying to strike out too many batters because I want to go deep into the games,” Cueto told Fegan. “I know that for me, in order to do that, I need to find quick outs.”

Miami will hope Cueto is able to shore up the back half of its rotation as an innings-eater next season. It's unlikely he'll ever regain the form that made him an All-Star in Cincinnati, but if he can toss six innings of efficient ball, this should be a solid pickup.

The Marlins already have an impressive rotation of young starters led by Sandy Alcantara, but the latest addition gives the team some much-needed veteran experience. Heyman also predicted the signing could mean one of Pablo López, Edward Cabrera, Jesús Luzardo or Trevor Rogers will be traded to clear a spot in the rotation.

Despite the young talent, the Marlins finished just 69-93 last season and have made the playoffs just once since 2003.