Pitching injuries create new opportunities for Connor Gillispie and Valente Bellozo

MIAMI, FL—Going into the final weeks of spring training, the Miami Marlins were expecting to have a rotation of Sandy Alcantara, Ryan Weathers, Edward Cabrera, Max Meyer and Cal Quantrill. Injuries made them adjust those plans. While Cabrera (middle finger blister) and Weathers (flexor muscle strain) complete their rehab, Connor Gillispie and Valente Bellozo have the opportunity to make a few starts in their place.

Gillispie was claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves back in January. He was in West Palm Beach when he received the news, about to make his way over to Venice, close to where the Braves hold their spring training. It all ended up working out for the 27-year-old as he simply made his way up to Jupiter.

Gillispie had a strong spring, enough to make the Marlins rotation. Through six appearances (three starts), Gillispie posted a 3.86 ERA, striking out nine and walking five. He didn't allow a single hit in his first four appearances.

"Pitching staff was able to enhance the repertoire," said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough. "Enough fastball that has good carry to the top of the strike zone and a lot of confidence in his breaking pitches. Connor's a terrific competitor."

At the major league level, Gillispie made three previous appearances, all of those with the Cleveland Guardians where he posted a 2.25 ERA, 3.04 FIP, 9.0 K/9 and 5.6 BB/9 through 8.0 IP. Friday marked his first career start and he had family and friends in attendance. "Pressure comes with it," said Gillispie. "I've prepared my whole life for this, so just another day in the park."

On Friday night, Gillispie gave the Marlins five innings of work against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing four runs (three earned) off of four hits (one home run), walking four and striking out four.

Bellozo made 13 Marlins starts last season, posting a 3.67 ERA, 5.73 FIP, 5.8 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 through 68 ⅔ innings pitched. He will take the mound on Saturday.

Entering 2025, his velocity is up—after averaging 89.2 mph with his four-seam fastball last year, he averaged 90.4 mph during the spring. When it comes to his arsenal, Bellozo added a kick-changeup, something he began using in his second outing of the spring.

"I think it's moving well," said Bellozo. "It's attacking in the zone, having more confidence on it. That's gonna come with the outings, practice, throwing programs and bullpens. Right now, I have a really good feeling of that pitch and the feedback is good. The hop and the depth of that pitch is gonna be huge."

In five Grapefruit League appearances (two starts), Bellozo posted a 9.45 ERA. He got off to a promising start, but it all went downhill after that.

"I'm a pitcher of info, of getting more info," said Bellozo. "I open my pictures of the swings, of aggressiveness, of counts and other stuff. I think that affected [me] a little bit in the spring because we don't have all that info. But here in the league, now Opening Day and all the outings, we have all that info and it's gonna work for me."

The Marlins optioned Bellozo on March 14 to Triple-A Jacksonville. Following Ryan Weathers' injury, the team brought Bellozo down to Miami and informed him on Tuesday that he would be one of 17 players making their first career Opening Day roster.

"This is part of the business, part of baseball," Bellozo said. "That was my mindset when they sent me down: be prepared. I know that I did a really well last year, my last two months and the numbers are there. Only be healthy, be prepared for the call. The call was really quick and we're ready. We're gonna be 100% every outing and every start."