Eury Pérez still on track for post-All-Star break return from Tommy John

[Kevin Barral]

The young Miami Marlins starting pitcher provided an update on his rehab entering 2025 spring training.

MIAMI, FL—The Miami Marlins entered last year hoping that right-handed pitcher Eury Pérez could lead their starting rotation. In 2025, the best-case scenario is half a season of work as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Coming off an impressive rookie season, Pérez was slowed down last spring training by a fingernail issue, then experienced right elbow inflammation after his start on March 13, 2024. He underwent surgery the following month.

Close to a year later, Pérez addressed the media in Spanish and updated his progress. He is at 75% and has thrown seven bullpen sessions since the surgery. He's using all of his pitches in these bullpens (fastball, slider, curveball and changeup). The Marlins have told Pérez he could potentially return following the All-Star break—their first game back from the break is July 18.

Pérez was regarded as a consensus Top 100 MLB prospect when he debuted and the best prospect in the Marlins organization. He lived up to the hype as a 20-year-old, posting a 3.15 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 10.6 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 through 91  ⅓ innings pitched. Including the minor leagues, he threw 128 innings, the most of his professional career.

"It was a bit hard," said Pérez regarding his injury setback. "I was a bit disappointed, especially knowing that Sandy (Alcantara) was going to be out for the season and I hoped to help the team a little bit more. It was a little bit tough for me, but I tried to keep my head up and try to get back to full strength and work hard."

The rehab process has been grueling for Pérez, but also valuable. It has taught him to "have a bit more patience, control the emotions, to regain my strength and know when I feel good and when I don't, and know more about my physique."

Alcantara is a fellow Tommy John survivor who's on the verge of returning from October 2023 surgery. Pérez has been able to rely on the Marlins ace for advice. "He helped me a lot," said Pérez. "The fact that he had been first wasn't good, but he helped me now that he knew what was good and what was bad. He helped me throughout this whole process. I would communicate to him how I was feeling and how this process was going and he let me know with what he could help me."

Although not ready to appear in Grapefruit League games this spring, Pérez will be at big league camp in Jupiter, Florida.

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[rurrusuno]

I hope the process is smooth in this final stretch of rehabbing and he doesn't face any setbacks. We need him come July!

[Russell]

Going to guess we're really looking at August then and as I imagine the Marlins modus operandi to be "rehab starts in the minors" prior to live MLB action.  Perez giving it a go is one of the few things I have to look forward to with the Marlins and unfortunately having to wait until August blows.