Rogers rising from 'rock bottom' with new sinker, better mechanics

February 23rd, 2023

JUPITER, Fla. -- ’ second full Major League season didn’t go as planned. Back and ready for his third year in the big leagues, the left-hander is refusing to let an off year -- plagued by injuries and mixed-up mechanics -- get him down.

After being named an All-Star and the Marlins’ Rookie of the Year in 2021, Rogers and those around him expected a repeat entering ‘22. Instead, he had a slow start to the season (a 5.85 ERA by the end of July) and went on the injured list with back spasms on July 26.

But when Rogers returned on Aug. 31 after putting in plenty of rehab work, he started to regain his All-Star form (one run allowed over six innings in his first game back). That success was short-lived, though, and a left lat strain ended his season in mid-September.

Dealing with so much adversity, especially after such a dominant rookie campaign, Rogers went back to the drawing board this offseason to right the ship -- both physically and mentally.

“I’m in a lot better spot mechanically and mentally than last year,” Rogers said. “I really went into the offseason kind of fixing a few mechanical problems that I was honestly searching all year for last year. … Going through what I went through last year, it really helped me as far as my mental game [goes], being at rock bottom, [which was] something I had never gone through before.”

Rogers threw his second live batting practice of Spring Training on Thursday on a back field at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex, showing off the sinker he’s added to his already-impressive arsenal (which features a four-seam fastball, a changeup and a slider). To get his mechanics right, he started looking at video in November.

“[My mechanics] stick out like a sore thumb,” Rogers said. “It’s crazy how that works. Mentally, [I’ve been] listening to a book on how to [have] mental toughness and exercises to work on that type of thing.”

Going up against Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jean Segura and reigning American League batting champ Luis Arraez, Rogers seemed in the zone -- even while his teammates were marveling at his offerings after each pitch. First baseman Garrett Cooper and outfielder Jorge Soler, shielded by a screen behind home plate in a faux on-deck circle, both laughed after watching Rogers blow a pitch past Chisholm. They seemed impressed -- and glad Rogers was nearing his cap of 35 pitches before it was their turn in the box.

“Adding a sinker, mid-to-upper 90s, will definitely add to [his] repertoire,” Cooper said. “Hopefully [he’ll] make it back to the 2021 Trev and put last year behind him. There's so much talent there. He's still super young.

“As he progresses to be a Major League starter for, hopefully, the next 10 years of his life, hopefully he learns that the best go through bad times, [and] a bad year, a bad month … doesn’t dictate what kind of stuff he has.”

Rogers is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday when the Marlins host the Red Sox. Manager Skip Schumaker admitted he’s looking forward to seeing the young lefty in game action.

“I'm excited to see him, maybe more than anybody [else], when games start,” Schumaker said. “He's super motivated. His bullpens -- there's intent behind every pitch. You saw his live [BP] the other day -- it felt like he was already ready to go [for] Opening Day."