This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez will miss eight weeks due to a fluke right leg injury. Now what?
Pérez’s spot in the rotation doesn’t come up again until Tuesday against the Nationals in Washington. Despite the starting-pitching depth taking several hits this month, there are internal options for the front office to consider. If Miami were to look elsewhere, it would need to clear a 40-man roster spot.
Here are some of the available options to fill in for Pérez over the next two months:
RHP Ryan Gusto
Last pitched: Friday for Triple-A Jacksonville
2026 MiLB stats: 45 2/3 IP, 41 H, 19 ER, 17 BB, 53 K (3.74 ERA, 1.270 WHIP)
2026 MLB stats: IP, K (0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP)
Gusto has a 6.28 ERA in 17 career Major League starts, all of which came in 2025 between the Astros and Marlins. The Jumbo Shrimp turned to him for two scoreless relief innings (25 pitches) on Friday, likely signaling him to be Pérez’s initial replacement. Gusto has pitched into the sixth inning in each of his last five Minor League starts, with just two earned runs allowed over his last two.
LHP Braxton Garrett
Last pitched: Wednesday for Triple-A Jacksonville
2026 MiLB stats: 35 1/3 IP, 12 H, 10 ER, 18 BB, 37 K (2.55 ERA, 0.849 WHIP)
2026 MLB stats: 4 1/3 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 8 BB, 5 K (14.54 ERA, 3.462 WHIP)
Garrett, whom the Marlins optioned to the Minors after consecutive short starts in Robby Snelling’s place, needs to correct his command issues. In his first start back with Jacksonville, he walked three batters in four innings of two-run ball.
RHP Bradley Blalock
Last pitched: Friday for Triple-A Jacksonville
2026 MiLB stats: 47 IP, 47 H, 35 ER, 19 BB, 43 K (6.70 ERA, 1.40 WHIP)
Offseason acquisition Blalock has yet to debut for the Marlins. From 2024-25 with the Brewers and Rockies, he compiled an 8.33 ERA in 18 career starts. Since Blalock threw 75 pitches on Friday, surrendering 10 runs (nine earned) in four innings, that takes him out of contention for now.
LHP Dax Fulton
Last pitched: Tuesday for Triple-A Jacksonville
2026 MiLB stats: 35 IP, 35 H, 24 ER, 22 BB, 37 K (6.17 ERA, 1.629 WHIP)
2026 MLB stats: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (4.50 ERA, 1.250 WHIP)
Fulton has yet to start in the big leagues. He has gone five frames in each of his last three Minor League starts.
RHP Carlos Carrasco
Last pitched: Wednesday for Atlanta
2026 MLB stats: 7 1/3 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 K (2.45 ERA, 0.818 WHIP)
The Braves recently designated for assignment the 17-year veteran, who made four relief appearances for them this season. Carrasco gave up two runs over four innings his last time out, getting his pitch count up to 46 pitches. He is already built to four “ups.”
As of Saturday afternoon, another recently DFA’d arm includes former Royals lefty Bailey Falter (45 pitches in his last outing). The external options, however, aren’t necessarily better than the internal ones, so Miami could decide to stay put.
While the starting-pitching depth is being tested, Triple-A Jacksonville also has non-roster arms like Zach Brzykcy, Tyler Zuber and Jack Ralston who can provide length.
COMPLETE MARLINS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Two highly touted prospects that won’t be candidates for now are Triple-A Jacksonville southpaw Thomas White (Marlins No. 1 prospect, No. 13 overall) and Double-A Pensacola righty Karson Milbrandt (Marlins No. 9 prospect). White is on the Minor League injured list with a shoulder issue, while the organization would like to give arguably the hottest pitcher in all of the Minor Leagues, Milbrandt, a few more starts of 90-plus pitches before a promotion to the next level.