The Miami Marlins received some tough news today as right-hander Adam Mazur is set to undergo elbow surgery, sidelining him for the entire 2026 season. Mazur wasn't a lock for the starting rotation, but he was a key depth piece, ready to step in if any of the main starters like Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Chris Paddack, Max Meyer, or Braxton Garrett faced issues. The specifics of the surgery remain unclear, but Mazur's discomfort led to a quick evaluation by the esteemed surgeon Keith Meister.
Mazur, at just 24, was part of a significant trade in 2024 that saw him move from the Padres to the Marlins alongside infielder Graham Pauley and top pitching prospect Robby Snelling. Originally a second-round pick in 2022, Mazur showed promise up through Double-A. However, his performance at Triple-A (5.03 ERA over 168 1/3 innings) and limited major league appearances (6.22 ERA over 63 2/3 innings) have been rocky.
Last year, Mazur split his time between Triple-A Jacksonville and the majors, posting a 4.36 ERA over 107 1/3 innings in the minors and a 4.80 ERA in 30 innings with Miami. While he managed decent strikeout and walk rates in Jacksonville, his tendency to give up home runs inflated his ERA. In the majors, homers weren't as much of an issue, but his strikeout rate dipped to just 13.7%.
With the offseason trades of Edward Cabrera to the Cubs and Ryan Weathers to the Yankees, Miami's rotation is anchored by Alcantara, Pérez, and newcomer Paddack. Meyer and Garrett, both former top-10 draft picks, are also in the mix despite limited spring action due to past injuries. Garrett is rebounding from a 2024 UCL surgery, while Meyer has dealt with hip issues that required surgery last year.
The Marlins have a few depth options on the 40-man roster, including Janson Junk, Ryan Gusto, Bradley Blalock, and Dax Fulton. Additionally, top prospects Robby Snelling and Thomas White are waiting in the wings. Both are highly regarded, with White being particularly touted, though he has less experience in the upper minors.
Since Mazur is on the 40-man roster and has major league experience, he'll be placed on the major league injured list. This means he’ll accrue a full year of service time and retain his remaining minor league option year.
Miami will control his contract through arbitration at least until the 2031 season. As the Marlins navigate this setback, they’ll be looking to their depth and young talent to step up and fill the void.