Edward Cabrera's spring struggles continue with three-homer day

FORT MYERS, FL—Just over an hour before first pitch against a Red Sox team playing plenty of their stars, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough discussed with the media what he'd like to see out of Edward Cabrera, who was making his third start of the spring.

"Get in the strike zone, especially early, ability to spin the ball in some in some counts, to get guys off of his fastball and changeup some. So, I think today, I'm hoping that he's gonna build on that, continue that aggressive mentality, pound the strike zone, especially early, give yourself a chance to gain some count leverage where you're not having to then have let the hitter suck you back into the strike zone."

A little later, when speaking on the righty's inconsistencies in years past and what the new staff has done to "crack the code" on Cabrera, McCullough added, “The talent hasn't changed any…We’re gonna continue to love on Cabby, challenge Cabby. Every player gets to a point where it’s time to take the next step, so how are we gonna be able to be here to support you in that?”

Following another blowup start on Friday, "the next step" is still yet to be seen.

While it is, of course, still spring training, the same issues that have been plaguing Cabrera his entire career were as apparent as ever, as the 26-year-old was only able to complete 1 ⅔ innings, while allowing four hits—three of which were home runs—two hit by pitches and two walks.

Cabrera did note postgame that the home runs he allowed were on a new slider grip he was trying out and that he "has to continue working on (his) stuff."

"He was out of sync from the start, a lot of arm-side misses today. Just had a tough time there throughout the three innings. He had to really make an adjustment and get some stuff glove side, so I think we'll talk up to that" said his manager postgame. "I thought just right from the beginning, just didn't seem like he was kind of in rhythm, and then you're falling behind and trying to get the ball in the zone. He just didn't seem to have that good rhythm."

Overall this spring, Cabrera has allowed ten earned runs in just over four innings on ten hits. Again, it is spring, but it is safe to assume the clock is ticking on Cabrera as the talent in Miami's farm continues to impress.

Of Note

- Boston's offense put on a show, throwing up 20 runs on 20 hits, including six homers. Trevor Story put out two of the blasts while newly acquired Alex Bregman added one of his own.

- The first two Marlins runs of the contest were both courtesy of Javier Sanoja groundouts, one being in the second, the other being in the fourth.

- Jack Winkler put a three-run homer out to left in the top of the ninth. It was Winkler's second homer of the spring, making him the first Marlin to accomplish the feat.

- Outside of Sanoja and Winkler, the only Marlin with a noteworthy day at the plate was Kyle Stowers. Leading off for Miami, Stowers poked a single, walked and stole a base. "Kyle's at-bats have been very impressive...His at-bat quality has been impressive. Seems that he's firing at the right pitches and he's getting off some great swings," said McCullough.

Up Next

Max Meyer, making his third start of the spring, takes the ball for Miami on Saturday night against the Mets. Meyer has been lights out in his first two starts, flashing higher velocity on his fastball and slider with good location. First pitch from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is scheduled for 6:40 pm.