Offishial news, 7/20/23: Playoff odds plummet; Manfred's re-election; Mack's first jack

Today's Marlins news roundup also includes an update on JJ Bleday's progress with the Oakland A's.

Wednesday's Games

Marlins Podcast Episodes

• Wednesday's Marlins MiLB Notes: INF/OF Xavier Edwards (Jacksonville) started at third base for the second time in as many weeks. Intriguing development for somebody who is already capable of helping the Marlins offensively and just needs a defensive home. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos secured their 50th win of the season behind seven scoreless innings from LHP Luis Palacios and RHP Zach McCambley's first professional save. Rehabbing Avisaíl García went 0-for-3 with a walk as their right fielder. C Joe Mack (Beloit) finally hit his first home run of the season in his 78th game. That accounted for the only Sky Carp offense.

• For the 13th time this season, the Marlins lost a Sandy Alcantara start. They lost 13 of his starts during Alcantara's entire 2022 NL Cy young campaign.

• A winless week has caused Miami's playoff odds to plummet by 27.8%, per FanGraphs. Every game of this losing streak has been decided by three runs or fewer. They're the only MLB team that's still winless since the All-Star break.

• Signing bonus amounts are in for 13 of the Marlins' 2023 draft picks. Additionally, Competitive Balance Round A pick Thomas White told The Boston Globe that he'll be joining the organization and third-round pick Brock Vradenburg confirmed his signing via Instagram.

• Elsewhere around the majors, the MLB owners will vote next week on the re-election of commissioner Rob Manfred and "it's a forgone conclusion" that Manfred will receive the majority support he needs, Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report. Phillies top prospect RHP Andrew Painter is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery, pending a consultation with the surgeon on Monday. Painter suffered his elbow injury in March and hasn't pitched competitively this year. Tommy John would wipe out his entire 2024 season, too. Old friend JJ Bleday is settling in as Oakland's everyday center fielder. He homered for the second straight day and raised his wRC+ to 108, which happens to be Bryan De La Cruz's mark for the season as well.

• We’re back with a new episode of Fish On First LIVE, streaming at 7:00 p.m. ET on 
  /Twitch/Twitter. Our special guest is Marcello De Vivo. Super Subscribers, submit your series predictions before first pitch. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here!

• Double-A Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET), High-A Beloit (7:35 p.m. ET), FCL Marlins (12:00 p.m. ET) and DSL Miami (11:00 a.m. ET) are at home, while Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET), Low-A Jupiter (6:35 p.m. ET) and DSL Marlins (11:00 a.m. ET) are on the road.

• I checked in on the Marlins' only 2022 trade deadline deal, which sent Anthony Bass, Zach Pop and a player to be named later (Edward Duran) to the Blue Jays for Jordan Groshans.

• Do you have a business or special cause that you're trying to promote? We are seeking a sponsor for our @MarlinsSpaces account! Somebody we can promote before/during/after each of our Marlins Twitter Spaces. Email Ely.Sussman@gmail.com for more information.

• Garrett Cooper discusses his hitting mechanics with David Laurila of FanGraphs.

• Happy birthday to World Series-winning Marlins catcher Charles Johnson (52) and outfield prospect Victor Victor Mesa (27). This is probably the latter's final birthday as a member of the Marlins organization.

Photo courtesy of Miami Marlins