Sandy Alcantara DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (elbow) has been named the team's Opening Day starter on March 27 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to MLB.com's Christina De Nicola. Alcantara missed all of the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery that he had in October of 2023, but he's avoided any setbacks and is a full-go for spring training. While RotoBaller has Alcantara ranked as the No. 46 fantasy starting pitcher going into the 2025 season because of the fact that the Marlins will likely limit his innings this year, his draft stock should continue to rise if he avoids any setbacks in Grapefruit League games and looks more like his pre-surgery self. The 29-year-old had excellent command and control when he won the National League Cy Young in 2022, but don't be surprised if he's not as sharp out of the gates in his return in 2025. Although the upside won't be as high early on, an Opening Day matchup against the Bucs is enticing.

Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (elbow) was seen throwing live batting practice in camp on Wednesday. It was Alcantara's first live BP session of spring training as he finishes the final steps of his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he had in early October of 2023. The 29-year-old missed all of the 2024 campaign as a result, but he's making good progress already this spring and should be able to eventually pitch in Grapefruit League games. However, this is a reminder that the Marlins will be extremely cautious with the former National League Cy Young winner. But barring a setback in spring training, Alcantara has a good shot to be ready for Opening Day in late March. There is the allure of Alcantara returning to his pre-surgery ace form, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations. RotoBaller has him listed as the No. 46 fantasy starting pitcher in 2025.

Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (elbow) told the media that he will let the team handle his innings in the first two months of the 2025 season. But after that, Alcantara said, "I think they gotta let me compete." Alcantara did not pitch at all in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, so the expectation all along is that he'd be limited from a workload perspective early on this year as Miami eased him back into the starting rotation. It's unclear exactly what the Marlins' plan for Alcantara is, but the good news for fantasy managers is that the 29-year-old is expected to be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. The two-time All-Star won the National League Cy Young in 2022, so we already know the kind of upside he possesses, but fantasy managers should temper expectations in his first season back. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 46 fantasy starting pitcher in 2025.

The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson writes that Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (elbow), who is returning from Tommy John surgery, is ready to pitch on Opening Day on March 27 against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Alcantara, a former National League Cy Young winner, had Tommy John surgery in October of 2023 and missed all of the 2024 season. However, he began facing live hitters last September and isn't expected to have any restrictions during spring training. Alcantara has already shown that he can be a fantasy ace, but his long layoff should have fantasy managers wondering if he can immediately return to that high-end form in 2025. Pitchers typically struggle with control and command in their return from TJ surgery, and Alcantara relied heavily on his command and control before his injury. He'll be a risk/reward fantasy pitcher this year, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 46 starting pitcher.

According to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (elbow) will not be traded before Opening Day. Reports earlier this week suggest the former Cy Young winner could be on the trade block, but Mish dismisses any of these claims. The 2022 Cy Young winner was sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. However, he has been progressing very well and should be a full go for spring training. During the 2023 season, he took a step back as he posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 184 2/3 innings of work. This was a sharp decline from the excellent 2.18 ERA and the 0.98 WHIP he held across a hefty 228 2/3 innings of work in 2022. The right-hander will operate as the ace of the rotation and could eventually find himself on the trade block if the Marlins fall out of the playoff picture later in the season.