Offishial News: Marlins still searching for first victory

On Monday, the Marlins jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning of Max Meyer's return from Tommy John surgery. Meyer was solid (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR), but Mike Trout tagged him for one of the longest home runs in LoanDepot Park history. The bullpen was horrible behind Meyer with Tanner Scott walking the bases loaded, enabling the game-winning run to score on a grounder to Luis Arraez. Arraez reached base safely five times (2-for-2, 3 BB), but only scored the first time as this offense continues to be impotent against opposing relievers. The Marlins lost, 7-4, and they're in the midst of their first season-opening, five-game losing streak in franchise history.

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🔷 It's the same s*** as 2023 with regards to grounding into double plays. The Marlins have hit into 10(!) of them through five games, which is most in Major League Baseball. They led MLB last season with 159 GIDP.

🔷 Nice milestone for Meyer, of course, but his changeup still looks fringy at best. That's the pitch Trout took deep 473 feet, and most other times Meyer threw it, the result was non-competitive balls.

🔷 On the bright side, Monday was the best defensive game that the Marlins have played so far this season. Still a long way to go for them to be competent in that area.

🔷 Transactions: Kent Emanuel was selected from Triple-A Jacksonville to serve as a fresh arm in place of Vladimir Gutierrez, who was designated for assignment. Can't say I agree with that one. Would have made more sense to call up a reliever who's already on the 40-man roster rather than risk losing Gutierrez off waivers. Gutierrez still has minor league options left.

🔷 Injury updates: Braxton Garrett (shoulder) will go three innings/50 pitches in extended spring training today. He and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) are on very similar trajectories, due back in the Marlins rotation in late April. Josh Simpson (elbow) is also throwing in extended spring today. The lefty reliever could be activated from the IL even sooner barring setbacks.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter for the Astros. Francys Romero notes that Blanco was originally signed by Astros scouts Oz Ocampo and Roman Ocumarez, who are now in charge of the Marlins' international scouting department. Mike Clevinger (1/$3M) re-signed with the White Sox. Aside from the Marlins, the White Sox and Mets are MLB's only remaining winless teams.

🔷 Today's game: the Marlins (probable starter LHP Jesús Luzardo) host the Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson) at 6:40 p.m. ET. I suspect an Avisaíl García start.

🔷 The Marlins have updated the pageskins on the desktop version of their website. They now feature Luzardo, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jake Burger. In 2023, Chisholm, Sandy Alcantara and Jorge Soler were featured.

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