After DFA setback, Xzavion Curry tries to earn Marlins roster spot back

[Louis Addeo-Weiss]

Curry continues to impress in latest spring training outing; Wagaman, Norby lead offense on Sunday.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL—Less than a month ago, when the club designated him for assignment, it looked like Xzavion Curry's brief tenure with the Miami Marlins had come and gone. 

His response postgame was the epitome of the zen mindset needed to persevere in a game that—no pun intended—tends to throw its fair share of curveballs at you: "In life, when you go through trials and tribulations, it's about how you respond. You have a choice about whether or not you want to lay down and mope in it."

Now, after out-dueling Astros ace Framber Valdez to the tune of three scoreless innings in Sunday's 10-6 victory over Houston, the 26-year-old will enter his next spring outing with a perfect 0.00 ERA across six innings of work.

Coming over from Cleveland at the end of August, Curry pitched to a 3.00 ERA and 4.22 FIP, limiting hitters to a .145 opponent's average for Miami.

"I definitely feel like I'm a different pitcher now than I was last season," noted Curry, who's added a splitter and sweeper to his arsenal this spring. Curry told reporters he collectively threw four total of the aforementioned pitches in his latest spring outing. 

Getting hits from six of the nine starters, Miami's offense was highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Derek Hill and Eric Wagaman. 

"Wagaman can really hit," noted manager Clayton McCullough. "He's taken some really good swings in games and controls the zone well."

Wagaman, who signed a split deal as the club's inaugural move this past offseason, has hit .263/.391/.421 in 23 plate appearances this spring. 

Connor Norby continued to add to his strong spring, going 2-for-5 with an RBI to raise his Grapefruit League average to .292. 

Despite a bullpen that allowed six runs in the six innings following Curry, Miami picked up a rare win in a game in which they allowed three or more home runs.

 

Spring Training Notes

- Liam Hicks (1-for1, BB, 2 HBP, RBI) now owns a .471 OBP this spring. Miami's Rule 5 Draft pick has hit .250/.471/.250/.721 across 17 Grapefruit League plate appearances.

- Jesús Tinoco allowed a home run to Jeremy Peña Sunday on an 0-2 count. In 51 career (regular season) plate appearances ending on an 0-2 count, Tinoco has limited hitters to a .100/.098/.140 slash line. 

 

Looking Ahead

The Marlins return to their spring training home on Monday when they take on the Nationals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Sandy Alcantara will make his fourth start of the spring and second in five days against Washington, going 2 ⅔ scoreless against them on March 5. Mitchell Parker will face off against him for Washington.

First pitch is slated for 1:10 EST. 

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[rurrusuno]

Interesting how Xzavion Curry went from likely to make the Opening Day roster, to being designated for assignment, to putting up good Spring Training numbers that should get him a roster spot. The back-and-forth movement with a big-league club is all part of the process for young prospects.