Offishial News: Marlins' year-to-year payroll plunge; fireworks in Jacksonville

For the first time since his rookie season, Sandy Alcantara made a start where his four-seam fastball averaged less than 96 miles per hour. His results were solid despite that, but it led to a quick hook for the Miami Marlins ace, who threw just 70 pitches on Tuesday night. After the game, Alcantara admitted to feeling "tired" and took pride in how he battled through it. Kyle Stowers homered to give the Marlins an early lead and Graham Pauley doubled to put them ahead for good in a 4-2 victory over the New York Mets.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville won, 10-5. Edward Cabrera (right middle finger blister) made his first rehab start with them (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 46 pitches/27 strikes). That modest workload suggests he will be making at least two more starts—one on Sunday and another next week—before the Marlins consider reincorporating him into their big league rotation. Maximo Acosta, Heriberto Hernández and Troy Johnston each homered in what was the Jumbo Shrimp's home opener. Every starting position player reached base safely.

More Marlins news and content below:

🔷 Thanks to FOX 35 Orlando for having me on their television station on Monday to talk Marlins and torpedo bats! The full interview is posted here.

🔷 The official Marlins Opening Day payroll as calculated by the MLB labor relations department was $67,412,619, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, easily the lowest total in the majors. Last year at this time, their payroll was $97.2 million.

🔷 The updated FanGraphs MLB top prospects list from Eric Longenhagen includes five Marlins: Agustín Ramírez (40th), Thomas White (55th), Joe Mack (65th), Starlyn Caba (94th) and Noble Meyer (105th). Longenhagen assigns each of them a future value of 50. Also from FanGraphs, Jon Becker confirms that the Marlins had the youngest Opening Day roster in the majors (average age of 27.5 years) and the one with the most former waiver claims (seven).

🔷 Aram Leighton of Just Baseball highlighted Maximo Acosta as one of his 2025 prospect breakout candidates. Off to a good start!

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, 2024 NL Rookie of the Year runner-up Jackson Merrill and the San Diego Padres have agreed on a nine-year, $135 million contract extension. The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up, Colton Cowser, will miss a minimum of 6-8 weeks due to a fractured left thumb. Lance Lynn has retired after 13 MLB seasons. Lynn was a two-time All-Star who began and ended his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, playing for five other teams in between those stints. 

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Connor Gillispie) conclude their series against the Mets (RHP Clay Holmes). They're seeking what would be the club's fourth straight regular season series win dating back to 2024. The Marlins have a 36.3% chance to get it done, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 4:40 p.m.

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