Marlins secure key pitchers Braxton Garrett and Ryan Weathers, but questions linger about their rotation roles and comeback potential in 2026.
The Miami Marlins have avoided arbitration with two of their pitchers.
Left-handed reliever Braxton Garrett signed a one-year, $1.53 million deal to stay in Miami.
Another lefty, Ryan Weathers, signed a $1.35 million contract.
Of the two relievers, Weathers had the better year in 2025. Although Weathers only had eight starts due to multiple injuries, he posted a sub-4 ERA.
Roundtable contributor Anthony Aguirre detailed more about Weathers and what he might bring to the Marlins in 2026.
Garrett didn’t have a 2025 -- he missed all of last year after undergoing elbow surgery at the end of the 2024 season.
Before the injury, Garrett had a good 2023 and a not-so-good 2024.
In 2023, Garrett started 30 games for the Marlins, going 9-7 with a 3.66 ERA and helping Miami to the playoffs.
In 2024, injuries limited Garrett to seven starts, and he struggled in those outings, ending with a 5.35 ERA.
So where does Garrett project for 2026?
The Marlins' depth chart has him sixth in the rotation, meaning there’s a good chance we see him in the bullpen or in AAA, where he’d try to shake off the rust from his injury.
With Edward Cabrera now a Chicago Cub, the Marlins’ projected rotation is Sandy Alcantra, Eury Perez, Weathers, Janson Junk and Max Meyer.
Alcantra is the one to watch.
Three years ago, nobody did it better than Alcantra in the National League, and he was rewarded with a Cy Young Award.
But Alcantra hasn’t pitched at that level since, and last season, his ERA ballooned to 5.36, more than three runs hire than it was during his Cy Young campaign.
Miami also has two reinforcements expected to enter the starting rotation, which could make it more challenging for Garrett to break back in.
Two of Miami’s top four prospects — Thomas White and Robby Snelling — are projected to make it up to the big team in 2026, with Snelling possibly a candidate for the team's opening-day roster.
In a Zoom call with media this week, Marlins’ president Peter Bendix told reporters that Garrett, Weathers and Max Meyer will all have a shot after going down with injury.
“It’s going to be on each of them to step up to do everything they need to do to earn that spot,” Bendix said. “But there's going to be an opportunity for them and for others to step into our rotation and contribute right away
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