Offishial News: Jessica Blaylock removed from Marlins TV broadcast team

[Ely Sussman]

Today's news roundup also includes the passing of an MLB team's owner and notes about the Marlins pitching staff.

For the first time since 2014, Jessica Blaylock will not be covering the Miami Marlins. The longtime pre/postgame host and in-game reporter "would have loved to return, but unfortunately, the decision didn't belong to me," she wrote Monday in a social media post. Shortly after sharing the news, the Marlins removed her blurb from the "broadcasters" page of the website.

Blaylock used to cover both the Marlins and Florida Panthers for FanDuel Sports Network Florida (previously known as Bally Sports Florida), but the Panthers left the network for Scripps Sports entering the 2024-25 season and hired her. FDSN Florida "briefly discussed" retaining Blaylock in a role that wouldn't interfere with her Scripps obligations, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Seems as though this was more of a logistical issue than an indictment of her work.

Regardless, it's a huge blow to the Marlins' television product. Blaylock consistently brought creativity and humor to her segments. She had a good rapport with players and dug up interesting off-the-field stories about them. She was enthusiastic during many non-competitive Marlins seasons, but not in a cringey way. Her talent and experience will be missed.

A formal announcement about the 2025 Marlins broadcast team is expected from FDSN Florida in the coming weeks, but returning talent Craig Minervini and Kelly Saco will help fill the Blaylock void. They can't do it entirely on their own because of additional responsibilities as part-time radio announcers. Barry Jackson mentions Jeremy Taché as "potentially" getting increased TV reps.

Marlins Opening Day is 30 days away.

More Marlins news and content below:

🔷 Monday's scheduled game between the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros was canceled due to rain. Ryan Weathers got his work in at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, so the Marlins will skip his spot in the rotation. By the time we see him in a game environment for the first time this weekend, he should be stretched out to go multiple innings.

🔷 Slowed by lower back inflammation, Andrew Nardi has begun to ramp. He got cleared to play catch on Monday. Being a reliever who rarely pitches more than one inning at a time, there's hope he could be at full strength just in time to make the Opening Day roster.

🔷 Any further setbacks to Nardi would help Anthony Veneziano's case for making the roster as a lefty reliever. He spoke to MLB.com's Steve Dorsey about transitioning to the bullpen after mainly being a starter in the minor leagues.

🔷 Weekly reminder that HOMAGE's teal Marlins Starter jacket is still available here in all sizes. Fish On First earns a commission on products purchased through that link.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Cleveland Guardians owner Larry Dolan passed away at the age of 94. He purchased the franchise in 2000. His son, Paul, has been Cleveland's primary control person since 2013. Sean Manaea (right oblique strain) will be starting the season on the injured list. That's the second Mets starter to suffer a significant spring training injury, joining Frankie Montas (right lat strain). On the position player side, the Mets acquired outfielder Alexander Canario from the Cubs for cash considerations. Good luck to Harold Ramírez, one of my favorite Marlins role players ever, who is continuing his playing career in the Mexican League in 2025.

🔷 Today's Grapefruit League game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Edward Cabrera) host the Washington Nationals (RHP Trevor Williams). It's only being broadcasted on the Marlins Radio Network. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.

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[rurrusuno]

That’s shocking. Jessica Blaylock did awesome coverage of the Marlins. I get it though, Scripps Sports is a competitor of FDSN Florida. At this point in the season with the playoffs looming, Blaylock is going to prioritize the Panthers. Since it’s not news reporting for them anymore, FDSN is going to want someone new that can put 100% of their attention on the Marlins. 10 years with the Marlins is an impressive run itself. 

[JustMarlins]

Damn shame. Blaylock has been a fixture within that broadcast team. Tough loss for us all. 

[Chad Turner]

Tachés got talent.  I guess without DEI we are moving towards an all-white male broadcast team with a token like the old days.  

[MarlinFaninGA]

Oh man! Jessica is gonna be missed! I really loved her! Not only did she have beauty and was pleasant to look at, she had brains! 

[Miami Italiano]

Diamond Sports emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, rebanded as Main Street Sports Group, and are cutting costs with cheap but tolerable on-air talent replacements. I expect the same with Jessica Blaylock's replacement. Maybe a woman with a couple years experience in Triple A baseball broadcasts.