Relive all of the ups and downs of the 2023 Miami Marlins with our Fish On First Season Review, containing detailed articles about a wide variety of players. The FOF staff analyzes the individual impact that each of them had and what it means for their future with the organization.
This installment focuses on left-hander Trevor Rogers.
2023 Timeline
- April 21—placed on the 15-day injured list (left biceps strain)
- May 30—sent on a rehab assignment to Jupiter Hammerheads
- June 2—rehab assignment transferred to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- June 10—suffered right lat strain while warming up for rehab start
- June 14—transferred to the 60-day injured list
- August 25—started playing catch
Season stats: 18.0 IP, 4.00 ERA, 4.09 FIP, 9.50 K/9, 3.00 BB/9
Yes, Trevor Rogers did pitch in 2023 for the Miami Marlins. Expectations for Rogers weren’t especially high coming off a miserable 2022 season and an up-and-down spring training, but the Marlins saw him as a back-end starter with the potential to be much more than that.
Rogers struggled in his first two starts of the season, both against the New York Mets. He was at his best on April 14, throwing six innings of one-run ball to earn a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He struck out seven, walked one and gave up five hits.
Rogers’ season went off the rails in his fourth start when he was only able to go three innings against the San Fransisco Giants, leaving early with what was later revealed to be a left biceps strain.
The absence of Rogers contributed to Eury Pérez’s arrival to the majors. In early June, with Rogers looking sharp in minor league rehab games (nine scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts in two starts) and Pérez living up to his top prospect reputation, the Marlins rotation depth seemed to be in good shape.
Unfortunately, while Rogers was preparing to make a rehab start with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on June 10, he felt discomfort in his non-throwing arm. He was scratched from the start and diagnosed with a lat strain. The recovery from that took even longer than his biceps injury and he didn’t have enough time to make it back before season’s end.
In a very tiny sample, what stood out most about Rogers was his increased sinker usage. He threw 62 sinkers in four starts, which is more than he threw during his first three MLB seasons combined. It represented 18.8% of his pitch mix. He was consistent about spotting it toward the bottom of the strike zone.
Future with Marlins
It is impossible to say what Rogers will look like in 2024, but the Marlins hope he can help fill the void in their starting rotation created by the absence of Sandy Alcantara (Tommy John surgery). Three rotation spots are accounted for by Jesús Luzardo, Braxton Garrett and Eury Pérez. Rogers will be battling with Edward Cabrera, Ryan Weathers, Max Meyer, Patrick Monteverde and others for one of the two remaining spots.
Despite his lack of 2023 production, Rogers is due a pay raise entering his first year of arbitration eligibility. He is under club control through the 2026 season.
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