Offishial News: The sun will still rise without Arraez

On Sunday, Sixto Sánchez had his best start of the season so far, but that isn't saying much (4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 65 pitches/38 strikes). Nick Gordon doubled his wRC+ in a single afternoon, from 39 to 76. Right-hander Eli Villalobos pitched a scoreless ninth inning in his major league debut. The Marlins won, 12-3. 

Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville lost, 5-2. OF Victor Mesa Jr. went 1-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base. Double-A Pensacola won, 9-1. RHP Paul Campbell (6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 70 pitches/49 strikes) lowered his ERA to 1.88 and RHP Zach McCambley made his return from the injured list. High-A Beloit won, 3-2. 1B Torin Montgomery had the walk-off RBI single. Low-A Jupiter won, 4-0. Jesús Luzardo (5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 67 pitches/46 pitches) was predictably very effective against such young competition. He could be back in the Marlins rotation this coming weekend, if not the week of May 13 at the latest.

Here's more Marlins news and content for you:

🔷 Jake Burger (left intercostal muscle strain) will be reinstated from the IL today. The Marlins went 7-13 without him on the roster. Optioning Otto Lopez seems to be the most likely corresponding move. Other moves to consider are optioning Jonah Bride or designating Emmanuel Rivera for assignment (can't be slugging .233 as a corner infielder).

🔷 Listen back to Sunday's State of the Fish call-in show. Understandably, much of the conversation focused on the Luis Arraez trade. I have come to the conclusion that the Marlins lacked faith in Arraez recapturing his 2023 form or even playing up to his career norms, trading him now in fear that his value would've dipped even lower come July. We'll just have to wait and see how that stance ages. A demoralizing decision, regardless.

🔷 Through 11 Marlins series, @PHeyser08 (aka Baby Seal) has moved into a tie for the Prediction Time lead. Make series predictions with us all season long when you become a Fish On First SuperSub.

🔷 RHP Noble Meyer enjoyed his best start of the season on Saturday, striking out more than half of the batters he faced and retiring 14 of 17 overall. “If I could keep what I did tonight the rest of the season, that'd be perfect," he told MLB Pipeline.

🔷 With the anniversary of Al Leiter's no-hitter approaching this weekend, Fish on the Farm's Alex Carver is giving away an unripped ticket stub signed by Leiter himself.

🔷 Join us for a new episode of Fish On First LIVE tonight from 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET on YouTube/Twitter/Facebook. FOF LIVE is presented by Berger & Hicks. If you’ve been injured as a result of somebody else’s negligence, give them a call at (305) 670-7050.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, unfortunately for the Fish, Shohei Ohtani is at the peak of his powers at the plate. After blasting two more homers on Sunday, he is leading the sport in numerous offensive categories, including hits and wRC+. The Red Sox snapped the Twins' 12-game winning streak. The best record in the majors now belongs to the Phillies (24-11).

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Roddery Muñoz) visit the Dodgers (RHP Walker Buehler). It will be Buehler's first major league appearance in nearly two years. The Marlins have a 33.7% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 10:10 p.m. ET.

🔷 Today's MiLB schedule:

• FCL Marlins vs. FCL Marlins, 12:00 p.m. ET (Braxton Garrett rehab start)

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