Pitcher Ronny Henriquez may have lost his entire 2026 season to an elbow injury, but his past performance and overall skill set gives the Miami Marlins a potential closer candidate for 2027.

It appeared that the righty would be well on his way to at least competing for that vaunted spot last season, but he was leveled in late 2025 with 

After being claimed off waivers after being released by the Minnesota Twins, the 26-year-old really found a home in Miami. In his first season with the Fish, Henrique appeared in 69 games, finishing 7-2 with a 2.22 ERA in 73 innings on the mound. He struck out 98 batters, recorded 26 holds, and collected seven saves. Those figures certainly him impressed Marlins manager Clayton McCullough.

“Ronny has multiple pitches that are plus, and the confidence he's gained throughout this year, being thrust into a variety of experiences and situations, now is a real win for us organizationally," McCullough said at the end of that season. "I hate to use the word ‘automatic,’ but he's been just so consistent for such a long time now.”

That word, 'automatic', seems like an almost perfect way to describe a shutdown closer, eh? And that's what it appeared to be the next step for Henriquez, who really looks the part of a guy who's capable of turning off the lights on Miami's opponents. He started to show that in 2025.

However, the pitcher suffered a UCL injury late in his breakout year that cost him the entire 2026 slate. The setback came with some pretty unfortunate timing, but he's expected to be back at full strength by Spring Training, which gives the Fish a lot of optimism in the bullpen.

Closer Pete Fairbanks appears to be a one-season experiment that failed in South Florida, after coming down I-75 for the Tampa Bay Rays. The veteran had an astronomical 6.31 ERA and finished the year on the Injured List himself. It's almost certain the team will go in a different direction and wave goodbye to the beleaguered reliever.

The Marlins could ease him in with a middle relief role before deciding whether or not he's ready to face the rigors of the ninth inning. However, if he comes out with both guns blazing in exhibition play? Then he could be the guy from the time the Opening Day rolls around

At the conclusion of 2026, Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix addressed the bullpen situation, as the club finished in the lower half of MLB statistically and was rattled by injuries and rife with inconsistency. The Miami baseball boss talked about how the team had to shuffle the warm bodies they had around; he made no mention of acquiring a closer in the offseason. 

“I have no idea where it goes in the future, but I do think that it shows the innovation of this organization that we're continually willing to try these things," Bendix said, regarding the team's ninth-inning situation in the upcoming campaign.

That at least leaves the door open for Henriquez, who seems to be the most reasonable choice. He's a young and developing player who could emerge alongside the prospects the team has making their way to the big leagues right now. He's also an inexpensive choice, and he possesses a wicked arsenal on the hill. Friends of the Fish should view him as a great pick to slam the door on the opposition in what looks to be a playoff chase in 2027.