Marlins expected to non-tender Andrew Nardi, Jesús Tinoco

[Kevin Barral]

With three weeks to go until the annual MLB tender deadline, the Miami Marlins have some difficult decisions to make on arbitration-eligible pitchers who suffered season-ending injuries. Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports in her most recent newsletter that left-handed reliever Andrew Nardi and right-handed reliever Jesús Tinoco will likely be non-tendered before the deadline, which would make them both free agents.

Nardi, 27, was drafted by the Marlins in 2019 and made his major league debut during the 2022 season. Despite very poor performance as a rookie, Nardi made the 2023 Opening Day roster and he completely flipped the switch. He was one of the league's best high-leverage lefties, posting a 2.67 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 11.46 K/9 and 3.30 BB/9 through 57 ⅓ innings pitched.

Nardi was particularly effective with runners on base. He posted a 2.81 FIP in those situations and stranded 35 of 40 (87.5%) of his inherited runners.

His breakout season ended on a sour note. Nardi allowed a grand slam to Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series, which essentially eliminated the Marlins from the playoffs.

In 2024, Nardi regressed, with a 5.07 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 12.7 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 through 49 ⅔ innings pitched. The magic touch he had with runners on didn't carry over from the previous season (4.48 FIP) and he allowed 20 inherited runners to score. He made his last appearance on August 21 before suffering a left elbow muscle injury.

Nardi was "a bit behind" the other Marlins pitchers when ramping up for 2025 spring training due to lower back inflammation, according to manager Clayton McCullough. Several times throughout the year, he began a throwing progression, but always experienced setbacks. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 15 and remains there as of this writing.

Although the Marlins do not feel that Nardi belongs on their 40-man roster at the moment, maybe there is a world where they can bring him back on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

As for Tinoco, the Marlins claimed him off waivers from the Chicago Cubs in July 2024. He posted a 2.03 ERA and 2.08 FIP through 26 ⅔ innings pitched with them that season. In 2025, Tinoco only made 20 appearances, posting a 5.12 ERA and 4.01 FIP. He also missed time with a lower back injury, but the more serious issue was his right forearm. On September 3, he underwent UCL hybrid reconstruction surgery with an estimated recovery time of 13-14 months.

With Tinoco doubtful to pitch at all in 2026, he could be a candidate for a two-year minor league deal, similar to what the Texas Rangers did with former Marlin Declan Cronin earlier this month.

De Nicola also reports that starting rotation candidates Braxton Garrett (Tommy John surgery) and Max Meyer (hip labral repair surgery) will be tendered contracts.

Garrett only made seven starts in 2024, posting a 5.35 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 8.3 K/9 and 1.0 BB/9 through 37 innings pitched. He underwent elbow surgery in December, ending his 2025 campaign before it even began. The left-hander received a $1.53 million salary while rehabbing this year and should be renewed at the same price for 2026.

Meyer is an interesting case approaching his first year of arbitration eligibility. He got off to a hot start in 2025 before a hip injury contributed to his struggles. Overall, he posted a 4.73 ERA, 4.47 FIP, 9.5 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 through 64 ⅔ innings pitched. The former top draft pick still hasn't proven that he can physically handle a full-season starter's workload. With so many other internal rotation options moving forward, the Marlins may finally experiment with using Meyer out of the bullpen in order to protect his health and get more consistent results from him.

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[One Regend]

Quote

With so many other internal rotation options moving forward, the Marlins may finally experiment with using Meyer out of the bullpen in order to protect his health and get more consistent results from him.

I was saying this all year long about Max Meyer. Mentally, he's not fit for a starting role. You, I, and everyone else saw this when the Marlins piled 6 runs in the first inning and he did nothing with the lead, choked the lead away to a Marlins L. That was the game that permanently cemented him as a relief pitcher in my mind.

Never let Meyer start a game again. He's lost that privilege. The SP experiment is over. Let him pitch the rest of his days in Miami in the bullpen, where he belongs.

[Hans Herrera]

23 hours ago, One Regend said:

I was saying this all year long about Max Meyer. Mentally, he's not fit for a starting role. You, I, and everyone else saw this when the Marlins piled 6 runs in the first inning and he did nothing with the lead, choked the lead away to a Marlins L. That was the game that permanently cemented him as a relief pitcher in my mind.

Never let Meyer start a game again. He's lost that privilege. The SP experiment is over. Let him pitch the rest of his days in Miami in the bullpen, where he belongs.

Barring trades plus injuries, the Fish have enough staters to begin the season so no need to keep trying on this.

And that’s just one reason: Innings limit, pitch mix, inefficiency, etc. All pointing toward a move to the bullpen, were he will most certainly thrive with that FB-SL combo.