Struggling Marlins Starter Returns To Bullpen

Marlins AJ Puk Moves Back To The Bullpen

The left-handed pitcher AJ Puk made a monumental change during the offseason. Puk went from being a relief pitcher to a starting pitcher. Most likely, in part, due to the injuries and holes the Marlins had in their rotation at the time. 2023 as a reliever, he had a 3.97 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 13 walks in 56.2 innings pitched. He has a 0-4 record in four games with a 9.22 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, and 17 BB in 13.2 innings pitched. Control seems to be the underlying problem in his struggles. His walk count has already surpassed his 2023 walk count. The left-hander’s recent move to the injured list comes as no surprise. His arm could not handle the load of a starting pitcher.

Despite having a slow start in the majors, he was amazing during spring training. In his four starts in the Grapefruit League, he allowed just three runs with a 1.32 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched. With these numbers, it is understandable why the Marlins thought he would be a quality starter.

 Manger Skip Schumaker Speaks On Puk 

 ESPN’s Christina De Nicola reports that Schumaker says his move is not due to performance but to concerns with his health. 

“We’re kind of still walking through that exactly on what that looks like — if it’s a few innings out of the bullpen, one inning — we’re not really sure,” Schumaker said. “We want to make sure he’s healthy first, but I think you’ll see him in the bullpen.”

Now that five of the Marlins starters are out, they will look to Edward Cabrera, Max Meyer, and Ryan Weathers to helm the rotation.