Andrew Nardi completed his first up-down bullpen in over a year, signaling a major step forward in his return to the Marlins’ bullpen in 2026.
If the 2026 season is going to be about the Miami Marlins rebuilding their identity on the mound, then Wednesday morning in Jupiter felt quietly significant.
On a back field at the renovated Marlins Jupiter Academy in Florida, left-handed reliever Andrew Nardi did something he hadn’t done in over a year: he completed a 30-pitch up-down bullpen session with a built-in rest period, simulating game conditions.
For a pitcher who hasn’t appeared in a big-league game since August 2024, that’s not just a box checked. That’s a turning point.
"I was sitting 91 [mph], which is great for me," Nardi told MLB.com Marlins beat reporter Christina De Nicola after the session. The first 15 pitches came out crisp. After a five-minute break, he returned to the mound and still held at 89–90 mph.
There was some stiffness, which is expected after more than a year away from that kind of workload, but nothing alarming.
The Marlins leaned heavily on Nardi during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Across 122 appearances and 107 innings in that span, he posted a 3.79 ERA and became one of Miami’s most trusted left-handed options in high-leverage spots.
But the workload eventually caught up to him. Left triceps inflammation turned into a left-elbow muscle issue. Then came recurring back trouble that wiped out his entire 2025 campaign, including treatment that required an epidural.
It wasn’t until two months ago that his back began responding the way he needed it to.
Now, the physical hurdle appears manageable. The next challenge is stacking days.
Manager Clayton McCullough called the bullpen session "a really, really positive day," emphasizing not just the velocity, but the process -- two sets of pitches with downtime in between.
For recovering arms, how they feel the next day often tells the real story. Nardi reported soreness, but not enough to disrupt daily activities.
Miami recently agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with fellow left-hander John King, but beyond him, the 40-man roster doesn’t offer much proven southpaw relief depth. Cade Gibson showed promise last year, while Josh Simpson struggled.
A healthy Nardi immediately changes the makeup of that bullpen.
This isn’t about expecting him to dominate on Opening Day. It’s about reclaiming reliability. When Nardi was right, he attacked the zone, induced weak contact, and handled tough left-handed matchups without hesitation. He wasn’t flashy -- just effective.
There’s also something intangible about seeing him back on a mound in cleats, smiling as teammates and management watched, for a club trying to reassert its pitching-first identity -- one anchored by Sandy Alcántara at the top -- getting back-end stability matters.
If symbolism counts for anything, Nardi's opening pitchers-and-catchers workouts might represent more than just a bullpen session.
It might signal that one of Miami’s most relied-on arms is finally on the road back -- and that the Marlins’ bullpen could quietly be deeper than expected if he stays there.
ㅤ
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!