Eury effective despite limitations, Sixto reaches 96 in Marlins' loss

JUPITER, FL—Eury Pérez was effective despite being limited to two pitches, Sixto Sánchez threw another scoreless inning, and Luis Arraez enjoyed a perfect 3-for-3 night at the plate in a 3-1 loss to the Mets on Friday night.

Fake nail limits Eury, still effective

Eury Pérez took the mound for the Marlins for the third time this spring after exiting his last start a bit prematurely. Throwing a steady diet of sliders, Pérez broke the nail on his right middle finger, causing him to have an artificial acrylic nail applied. Because of the nagging issue, Perez had to adjust to throwing with the fake nail applied during the week. During the start, he was limited in how he could attack hitters.

"It was getting a little uncomfortable with the fake nail and it was something that I had to make good judgment with during my bullpen sessions," Pérez said via translator. "It was also a matter of getting outs with only two pitches. (Mel Stottlemyre Jr.) suggested not to throw sliders today. So I was just throwing two pitches."

The biggest difference maker for Pérez lied in his ability to command his curveball, a pitch he's been working on continuously this spring. On the night, he threw 17 curveballs which  garnered him a 43% CSW%. Pérez was rightfully satisfied with how his curveball played especially because he was limited to just a two-pitch mix.

"Being able to locate that pitch, work it out so many times," Pérez said. "Overall, I would say I was good because of that. I got to work so much on that secondary pitch. I think I need to continue working on it."

While being unable to go about his usual business, Pérez was able to gain experience throwing without all of his stuff. Pérez said this outing will help him understand how to stay effective on days where he doesn't have all of his stuff working for him later this season.

"After my outing, I had a conversation with (Stottlemyre) and he was very happy with my outing," Pérez said. "We were talking about that specifically: how to pitch that many innings with just two pitches. The fact I got to work so many times with that curveball I think is very very positive, because it's not one of my best secondary pitches, but getting to work on it, I can improve even more."

"I think now he has a fourth pitch that he can throw and lean on, strike guys out with and land them early," Schumaker said of Pérez's curveball. "In the minor leagues, he just out-powered people. So now he's learning the changeup, still learning the curveball, and the slider is always going to be there. It can only help him moving forward."

Sixto reaches 96 in scoreless inning

Sixto Sánchez threw in his second spring game and recorded another scoreless frame. Topping at 96, the hardest we've seen him throw since his return in any capacity, Sánchez got around a lead-off single and a one-out walk via a strikeout and a flyout. Skip Schumaker stated both he and Sánchez were satisfied with his outing. A big point of emphasis for Schumaker has been how his arms recover the next day and during the week. He will once again be keeping a close eye on that.

"He recovered well last time, we'll see if he recovers well again this time around as well," Schumaker said. "He feels good, which is probably the biggest thing for him and for us, for him to come back and feel like he's ready to go."

Next steps for Sánchez's progression will be fully deciding on if he is going to stay in the bullpen or be stretched back out as a starter.

"We have to figure out if we want him to go multiple (innings)," Schumaker said. "And I'm not exactly sure, to be honest with you. I thought today was good; up to 96. He was happy. I think we celebrate that and move on."

Arraez breaks slow spring start, records three hits

After coming in to tonight 1-for-16 on the spring campaign, Luis Arraez recorded a double and two singles in a perfect night at the plate. The lead-off double came on the second pitch he saw from Luis Severino. He then recorded a bloop single in the 3rd and an RBI single that gave the Marlins their only run in the 5th. While there was never any worry about the defending batting champion's slow start to the spring, Schumaker said tonight was a feel-good night for Arraez.

"I don't care if you're a batting champ or not; you want to get hits," Schumaker said. "Even if they're bloopers over second, line drives, it doesn't matter. You want to feel good going home. I'm guessing he feels a lot better right now, back to where he is. It's just good to know that you've still got it no matter what time of year it is."

Other notes:

- Jonathan Davis (wrist) is day-to-day after being hit by a pitch against the Phillies on March 1. He is wearing a wrist guard, but has been taking BP on the backfields.
- Troy Johnston (ankle) told us today that he is "around 70-80%". He has not played since that Phillies game either, but is taking BP and running on the backfields.

- The Marlins will play another night game on Saturday in West Palm Beach against the Nationals. A.J. Puk is expected to start.