Marlins star takes big step forward after injury

When the Miami Marlins reached the postseason in a 162-game campaign for the first time since the George W. Bush Administration (first term), many fans hoped a new age of Fish baseball was officially underway. The constant injury troubles and days of wallowing in the National League East dungeon would finally end, or at least significantly decrease.

Instead, the opposite has happened. Since the Marlins seized a wild card slot in the 2023 playoffs, they have been crushed on the field, injured list and front office.

Although new president of baseball operations Peter Bendix comes with glowing small-market qualifications, the shocking departure of former general manager Kim Ng tarnished some of the good vibes that were surrounding this plucky club. Though, perhaps it goes even beyond that.

Ng’s exit, which reportedly occurred because she was not offered a new three-year contract extension and was also being forced to report to an incoming president of baseball operations, might have unleashed a cataclysmic plague on the franchise. Miami started the 2024 campaign 0-9 and is currently 9-24. Pitching injuries, in particular, have decimated the team.

But the Marlins are finally being gifted some good news on that front. Jesus Luzardo, one of the top guys in their starting rotation, is inching closer to a return.

“Luzardo threw a bullpen session on May 2 for the first time since testing and imaging revealed a mild left flexor muscle strain,” MLB.com reported. The left-hander is expected to take the mound for the team in “a week or so.”

Fans can take a deep breathe. Maybe this deluge of despair is beginning to relent. It might be too late for the Marlins to save their season, but this proves the sun does still occasionally shine on LoanDepot Park.

Jesus Luzardo can greatly help Marlins’ depleted starting rotation