After 'normal' offseason, Sandy Alcantara excited to get back on the mound in 2025

MIAMI, FL—On Friday, the Miami Marlins held their annual Media Day with some players taking questions for the first time since the 2024 season ended, including starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara. More than 16 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Alcantara believes that he's back to "normal" and ready to lead the Marlins rotation again. 

Alcantara had a phenomenal 2022 season, earning the National League Cy Young Award in unanimous fashion. Despite the Marlins having much more team success in 2023, things were more frustrating for him personally. Alcantara's ERA nearly doubled, from 2.28 to 4.14, and he suffered an elbow injury in September. He attempted to return before the end of the season, but continued to feel discomfort following a rehab appearance. He underwent surgery in October 2023.

There were no major setbacks for Alcantara during the past year. He threw many bullpen sessions over the summer and built up enough to throw live batting practice on September 17. Ultimately, the team didn't feel it was worth the risk to rush him back into game action.

"It was very bad," Alcantara said in regard to not being able to pitch. "Being able to watch the games, I was not able to compete and I felt so bad, but right now I just gotta have a positive mindset."

Alcantara said his 2024-25 offseason routine was the "same as when I was a normal person," which included training at FIU. "Nonstop, working every day and trying to get better." He confirmed to the media that he will have a normal spring progression.

Although the plan is to have the Marlins ace take the mound every fifth day, Alcantara noted that for about the first two months of the season, his innings will be monitored. "After that, I think they have to let me compete. I think the work that I have been doing, my preparation—I know I'm coming back from surgery, but that doesn't matter to me. I just gotta give my 100% effort every time."

Alcantara used to take pride in carrying a heavy workload and still does. In his Cy Young season, he led the majors with 228 ⅔ innings pitched. He would have been on his way to surpassing 200 innings again in 2023 if not for the injury.

Entering his eighth year with the organization, the 29-year-old has seen it all. He's been part of two playoff berths and will be playing for his third different manager in 2025. The Marlins acquired him at the start of a rebuild and they're back in a rebuild again, projected to finish last in the NL East. "Nothing to say about it," responded Alcantara.

Hired by the Marlins in November, Clayton McCullough has brought in a completely new coaching staff. "We've had great conversations and we're trying to have a great relationship before this season starts and I think we are on the same page," said Alcantara. Daniel Moskos is Miami's pitching coach now, replacing Mel Stottlemyre Jr.

Pitchers and catchers are set to report to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida on Wednesday and Alcantara is expected to throw a bullpen that day.