Ali Sánchez gets the chance to prove himself as Marlins backup

MIAMI, FL—Despite coming off one of his best games as a Marlin, Christian Bethancourt was designated for assignment prior to Friday's series opener against the Seattle Mariners. The former Tampa Bay Rays catcher played 38 games in Miami, slashing a disappointing .159/.198/.268 over 88 plate appearances this season.

The player filling Bethancourt's shoes wasn't even in the Marlins organization when the week began. Ali Sánchez, who last saw major league action three years ago for the St. Louis Cardinals, is the club's number two catcher for the time being.

Sánchez had been with the Chicago Cubs Triple-A affiliate in Iowa this season where in 41 games and 129 at-bats, he hit .240/.338/.388. The year before, he hit above .300 with the D-backs AAA affiliate. Like the Marlins, the Cubs have struggled to get offensive production from the catching position, but when Yan Gomes was recently DFA'd, they went outside the organization to acquire Tomás Nido instead of promoting Sánchez. 

"He's gonna be a lot like we used (Bethancourt)," Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said pregame. "Catch a couple times a week and make his own opportunity”.

He’s only totaled 13 at-bats in the majors with the last one coming in the 2021 season. The 27-year-old now has the chance of a lifetime to prove himself with the Marlins. Sánchez's plate discipline numbers in Iowa were encouraging—he was drawing walks in 12.2% of his plate appearances while striking out 18.9% of the time. However, he is out of minor league options.

In talking to EL Extrabase earlier, Sánchez said in Spanish, "I want to be healthy, learn, listen, and win. Those are the most important. Come here, do the best and enjoy the moment."

Although Bethancourt has been removed from the 40-man roster, his Marlins tenure may not be over yet. He will more than likely be outrighted to AAA-Jacksonville upon clearing waivers. Still owed a little over half of his $2.05M salary and being a player with three to five years of MLB service, he would need to forfeit the remainder of his contract to elect free agency. He could stick around instead, putting pressure on Sánchez to perform.