Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara will not pitch again this season because of right forearm tightness. Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press
MIAMI — NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara’s recent rehab setback has ended his season and raised concern about his availability to pitch for the Miami Marlins next year.
The Marlins’ ace experienced forearm tightness following his outing with Triple-A Jacksonville Thursday. Alcantara was rehabilitating from a forearm flexor strain that sent him to the injured list Sept. 6. He had hoped to rejoin the club as it contends for an NL wild card spot.
“Very frustrating for me, a guy who likes to compete,” Alcantara told reporters before the Marlins played the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday. “I feel sorry for the fans, my family, my son, my friends because I’m not going to be out there this year. Just try to be ready for next year, I don’t know. Stay positive.”
Alcantara plans to meet meet with Marlins General Manager Kim Ng, Manager Skip Schumaker and his agent in the coming days to determine the next steps.
“We’ll have a conversation on the decisions we have to make,” Alcantara said. “If we have to decide on surgery or not, I don’t know. We just have to get together.”
Alcantara completed four scoreless innings in his rehab start. The Jacksonville appearance followed pain-free throwing programs and bullpen sessions.
“I was so happy before I went to the minor leagues. Felt great with my bullpens,” Alcantara said. “This is heartbreaking.”
The 28-year-old Alcantara had a 14-9 record and 2.28 ERA, while leading the majors in innings (228 2/3) and complete games (3) to become the Marlins’ first Cy Young Award winner in 2022. Alcantara struggled this season and finished 7-12 and 4.14 ERA. He experienced discomfort after a start at Washington Sept. 3, sidelining him for the first time in his big league career with an arm-related injury.
RAYS: The playoff-bound and injury-depleted Tampa Bay Rays put second baseman Brandon Lowe on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right patella.
Lowe was hurt Thursday when he hit a foul ball off his leg.
The Rays selected the contract of outfielder Raimel Tapia from Triple-A Durham. To make room on the the 40-man roster for Tapia, right-hander Calvin Faucher was recalled from Durham and placed on the 60-day IL due to right biceps tendinitis.
POSTPONEMENT: The Arizona Diamondbacks’ game at the New York Yankees on Saturday was postponed because of a forecast of sustained rain.
The game was rescheduled for 1:05 p.m. Monday. Rain also is forecast for Sunday.
Arizona’s series at the Chicago White Sox was reset for Tuesday through Thursday, from the original Monday through Wednesday.
CUBS: Chicago placed reliever Brad Boxberger on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain.
Chicago also recalled right-hander Keegan Thompson from Triple-A Iowa before its game against Colorado. Thompson is 2-2 with a save and a 4.71 ERA in 19 appearances with the Cubs this season.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
CUBS 6, ROCKIES 3: Cody Bellinger hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, and Chicago won at home to improve its position in the NL wild-card standings.
PHILLIES 7, METS 5: Bryce Harper sparked Philadelphia’s comeback from a two-run deficit by reaching 20 homers for the ninth time, leading the Phillies over visiting New York for their fourth straight win.
MARLINS 5, BREWERS 4: Jake Burger hit a three-run homer, the Marlins scored the tie-breaking run in the eighth inning and Miami beat visiting Milwaukee to stay within a game of the Cubs for the third NL wild card and prevent the Brewers from clinching the NL Central.
RAYS 7, BLUE JAYS 6: Josh Lowe hit a three-run homer and a walk-off single that capped a two-run ninth inning, lifting Tampa Bay over Toronto in St. Petersburg, Florida, after the Rays wasted a five-run lead.
Rays prospect Junior Caminero made his big league debut at 20 years, 80 days and went 1 for 4 with a walk.
ORIOLES 2, GUARDIANS 1: John Means carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and Anthony Santander drove in a pair of runs, sending AL East-leading Baltimore to a win in Cleveland.
Means, a 30-year-old left-hander, was making his third start in 17 months following Tommy John surgery. Cleveland’s only hit – and lone hard-hit ball – occurred when Andrés Giménez pulled a chanegup to right for a 406-foot homer.
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