After recovering from a second Tommy John surgery and a dominant stint in Triple-A, the southpaw returns to the mound to lead Miami’s quest for a road-series victory.
The finale of the midweek series between the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins will be a matchup of season debuts between the pitchers.
Braxton Garrett has been called up from Triple-A to make his first start as a Major Leaguer since June 17, 2024, against the St. Louis Cardinals. After that start, he was placed on the injured list the next day with a left forearm injury. He was then transferred to the 60-day IL on July 30, 2024, where he missed the rest of that season and then missed all of 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career in January of last year.
The Marlins sent Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville to start the season knowing that they would eventually need him at some point. He proved that he is healthy and possibly as good as ever if not better, posting a 2.30 ERA (8 ER/31.1 IP) with 10 hits allowed, 15 walks, and 32 strikeouts through six starts. His first month back on the pro mound featured 15.0 consecutive no-hit innings including an 8.0-inning no-hitter in a 2-0 loss on April 21 against Gwinnett.
In a corresponding move, the Marlins have optioned RHP Josh Ekness to Triple-A Jacksonville. Ekness was called up to make his Major League debut when the club designated Chris Paddack for assignment. He posted a 1.69 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings over six appearances. He fit in nicely with a Miami bullpen that has allowed a total of 100 hits this season, leading to a league-low .187 opponent's batting average.
On the other side, the Twins will send Zebby Matthews for his season debut. In 25 career starts since his big league debut on Aug. 13, 2024, Matthews posted a 5.92 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 117 innings. He started this season in Triple-A St. Paul, where he posted a 4.72 ERA in seven starts.
The Marlins are going with their top three hitters at the top of the lineup on Thursday. Leadoff hitter Xavier Edwards has the second-highest batting average (.318) among Marlins hitters and ranks second on the club and eighth in MLB.
Behind him is Liam Hicks, who recorded three RBI on Tuesday and became the fourth Marlin to have 38 RBI in the first 40 games of the season. The last Marlins hitter to accomplish that feat was Giancarlo Stanton in 2015.
Batting third is Otto Lopez, who leads the big leagues in hits with 56 and is second with a .335 batting average.
Both time and stakes are on the Marlins’ side. The Marlins are 5-2 in rubber matches this season and 11-7 during day games. They have the opportunity to win their second consecutive road series with a win over the Twins.
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