Cabrera departs ST start early with blister on middle finger

JUPITER, Fla. -- Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera exited 12 pitches into Thursday¡¯s Grapefruit League start at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium with a blister on his right middle finger.

This is a recurring issue for Cabrera, who has had a history of blisters with that finger, dating back to October 2021, when the Marlins placed him on the injured list. Blisters affected at least three starts in 2023, including two in which he left early. Cabrera said he also dealt with the blister last season, and most recently in his second spring start on Friday (six runs on four hits and two walks with two hit-by-pitches in 1 2/3 innings).

¡°I was in conversation with our trainers today, [and] we're going to have a different approach on the treatment,¡± Cabrera said via interpreter Luis Dorante Jr. ¡°We don't have details as of now, but that's something that we're going to continue working with and try to improve.¡±

On Thursday, Cabrera threw just two strikes to the first three Astros before pitching coach Daniel Moskos, a member of the training staff and the Marlins¡¯ infield convened on the mound. Cabrera did not attempt a warmup pitch before exiting the game.

According to Cabrera, the blister affects him most on breaking pitches. So when he kept turning to his four-seamer and sinker, manager Clayton McCullough and his staff knew something was wrong.

¡°It is a pinch I feel when I put pressure on the grip of the ball,¡± Cabrera said. ¡°So based on that, I don't have a strong grip, because I feel the pain. So, therefore, location suffers and then it becomes a little unsafe, the location of where I'm throwing the ball.¡±

The Marlins¡¯ final Grapefruit League game is on March 23, and they will host the Yankees for an exhibition two days later. Opening Day is on March 27 against the Pirates. Miami opens the season with a game on seven straight days, meaning a fifth starter would be needed to toe the rubber on March 31.

Should Cabrera need to skip a turn, he could be cutting it close to make the Opening Day rotation. Though Cabrera has reached 51 pitches in an outing this spring, he has not gone more than two innings.

Ace Sandy Alcantara, left-hander Ryan Weathers, right-hander Max Meyer and veteran Cal Quantrill project as members of the starting staff. Righty Eury P¨¦rez and southpaw Braxton Garrett are on the 60-day IL while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Right-hander Valente Bellozo would be the primary option to replace Cabrera if he is not ready. No. 13 prospect Adam Mazur, who was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, is another candidate.

¡°I think where we were at, we'll still be OK,¡± McCullough said. ¡°I think a lot would just be determined next course here with it flaring up like it did today and just how it responds, and [we'll see] what we're able to continue to get done and when the next start will occur.¡±