Marlins Lose Breakout Reliever Ronny Henriquez for 2026 Season After Elbow Surgery
The Miami Marlins bullpen just took a major hit heading into 2026. Right-handed reliever Ronny Henriquez, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise rocky relief corps last season, is set to miss the entire year after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery with an internal brace - the procedure more commonly known as Tommy John surgery.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister, a name that’s become familiar to Marlins fans in recent years.
Meister also handled similar procedures for Sandy Alcantara and Eury Pérez, both of whom have dealt with their own elbow issues. For Henriquez, it’s a tough setback after what was shaping up to be a breakout campaign.
Henriquez, 25, came to Miami in a low-risk move - a waiver claim from the Twins back in February. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact. He earned a spot on the Opening Day roster out of spring training and quickly became one of the most reliable arms in the Marlins’ bullpen.
Over 69 appearances and 73 innings, Henriquez posted a stellar 2.22 ERA and an impressive 3.15 FIP. His strikeout rate - 12.08 K/9 - wasn’t just good, it was elite.
He finished the year with 98 strikeouts, tying Mets closer Edwin Díaz for the second-most among National League relievers. And perhaps most impressively, he stayed healthy all year - until now.
Henriquez also notched seven saves, showing he could handle high-leverage spots when called upon. For a Marlins team that ranked 26th in bullpen fWAR and 22nd in bullpen ERA in 2025, Henriquez was a rare bright spot - a dependable arm in a group that struggled to find consistency.
Now, with Henriquez shelved for the season, Miami’s bullpen depth - already thin - becomes an even bigger concern. The front office had already been targeting veteran relief help this offseason, but the urgency has only increased.
The problem? Some of their top options are already off the board.
Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, and Kyle Finnegan - all on Miami’s radar - have signed multi-year deals elsewhere.
That leaves the Marlins looking at what’s left on the market, and one name continues to surface: Pete Fairbanks. The hard-throwing righty is still available and reportedly open to a one-year deal, making him a logical target for a club that needs immediate impact without a long-term commitment.
For now, the Marlins are left to regroup. Losing Henriquez doesn’t just hurt their bullpen - it removes one of the few arms who consistently delivered in 2025.
If Miami hopes to stay competitive in the NL East, they’ll need to make a move soon. Because right now, the bullpen cupboard is running dangerously low.