Anthony Bender #37

Got married in the 2024-25 offseason to his wife, Keisha...After working his first job with his uncle as a teenager, Bender saved up enough money to buy himself a truck on Craigslist. When he arrived at the DMV to register the 1987 Ford Ranger he just purchased for a little more than $1,000, he found out that the vehicle was flagged as a stolen truck. After contacting the original owner, he signed the truck over to him but it then broke down three weeks later. Bender then sold the scraps to a new buyer...Was originally selected by Kansas City in the 20th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Santa Rosa Junior College...Can ride a unicycle...After retiring from baseball, would like to complete his college degree.

2024

Went 5-2 with a 4.08 ERA (24 ER/53.0 IP) across 59 relief appearances with Miami in his first action since Aug. 2022...His 59 appearances and 15 holds were both tied for the team-lead (with A. Nardi), while he led Marlins relievers in wins (five), ranked third in innings (53.0) and fourth in strikeouts (59)...From May 21-Aug. 8, went 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA (3 ER/24.2 IP) in 29 games, walking five batters against 25 strikeouts in this span and holding opponents to a .169 AVG (15-for-89)...After a blown save on Aug. 10 vs. SD (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R/3 ER, BB, 2 SO, HR), was placed on the the 15-day Injured List with a right shoulder impingement. Missed 22 games from Aug. 12-Sept. 7...In nine appearances to finish the season after being reinstated from the Injured List on Sept. 7, owned a 4.50 ERA (4 ER/8.0 IP), allowing runs in three of his appearances. Walked five batters against nine strikeouts...Recorded one save in five opportunities. The lone save came in the club’s season finale on Sept. 29 at TOR. Tossed 1.1 innings with one walk and two strikeouts, marking his first save since April 30, 2022 vs. SEA and his second career four-out save (also April 27, 2022 at WSH)...Went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA (7 ER/25.2 IP) in 29 appearances away with 10 walks and 26 strikeouts while going 3-1 with a 5.60 ERA (17 ER/27.1 IP) in 30 appearances at home with eight walks and 33 strikeouts...Left-handed batters hit .311 (23-for-74) with an .866 OPS against him, while he held right-handed batters to a .208 AVG (27-for-130) and .558 OPS. 

2023

Missed the entire 2023 season in recovery from “Tommy John” surgery.

2022

Anthony Wayne Bender made 22 appearances in an injury-shortened season, posting a 3.26 ERA (19.1 IP/7 ER). 17 of his 22 outings were scoreless...Missed 64 games with back stiffness from May 25 - Aug. 2. Made six relief outings in return before suffering a right elbow strain that landed him back on the injured list for the remainder of the season. Underwent Tommy John surgery on Aug. 30 and is expected to miss all of 2023...In his six appearances from Aug. 2-13, pitched 5.1 scoreless innings in which he allowed 0 hits and three walks with four strikeouts...Converted six of eight save opportunities, all coming in April.

2021

Went 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA, 71 strikeouts and three saves in his first Major League season in 2021. Recorded his first career save vs. LAD on July 5. Became the first rookie in Marlins history to record his first career save against the defending World Series champion...Started his MLB career with 21.1 innings in 21 games without allowing an earned run, the fourth-longest streak to start a career in MLB history...Became the only Marlins reliever in club history to strike out all six batters faced in 2.0 innings pitched July 2 at Atlanta...Threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts in his MLB debut May 5 vs. Arizona...48 of 60 outings this season were scoreless.

2020

Anthony Wayne Bender spent the 2020 season with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association...Went 2-1 with a 5.48 ERA in 22 games. Pitched 21.1 innings and struck out 25.

2019

Began the 2019 season with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association. Did not allow a run in 3.2 innings of work...Signed by the Milwaukee Brewers on May 29. Pitched at Single-A, Advance-A and Double-A. Finished the season 2-3 with a 1.49 ERA in 36.1 innings across all three levels.

2018

As a member of the Kansas City Royals organization in 2018, pitched in 30 games (nine starts) for Advanced-A Wilmington. Went 6-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 93.1 innings.

2017

Pitched in 24 games (nine starts) between Single-A Lexington and Advanced-A Wilmington in 2017. Finished the season 5-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 77.1 innings.

2016

Selected by Kansas City in the 20th round of the 2016 Draft from Santa Rosa Junior College...Pitched in nine games for the Arizona League Royals. Finished the season 2-0 with a 3.03 ERA in 32.2 innings.