Watch Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara throw for first time since Tommy John surgery

Sandy Alcantara said he couldn’t sleep Friday night. He was too excited about what was going to happen the next day.

For the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery five months ago in early October, Alcantara threw a baseball.

The Miami Marlins’ ace and 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner played light catch on the back fields of Jupiter’s Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex on Saturday, the latest step in his rehab progression. Marlins bullpen coordinator Rob Flippo was on the other side of the catch session with Alcantara. He threw from about 40 feet away and said he wasn’t throwing harder than 50 mph.

Alcantara was all smiles when talking with team trainers afterward.

Prior to Saturday, the last time Alcantara threw a baseball was on Sept. 21 when he pitched in a rehab assignment game before it was decided he would need to undergo Tommy John surgery.

“Today was a great moment for me,” Alcantara said. “Everything feels good. I just have to keep putting everything I can to get ready and back as soon as I can. I’ve just got to be patient and positive.”

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Alcantara is “probably three or four weeks ahead of schedule” in his rehab process.

“Still a long way to go,” Schumaker said, “but I think when you don’t have any setbacks and you’re progressing like he is, it’s only a positive sign. ... No one’s surprised that Sandy’s ahead.”

It’s a big milestone for Alcantara, but it is worth remembering Alcantara is still in the early stages of his Tommy John rehab, a process for starting pitchers that normally takes at least a full year.

But any progress is good progress. Alcantara is cherishing the little victories right now.

“Everything is different,” Alcantara said. “When I got the news that I had to have the surgery, everything changed. But today, I got the smile that I used to have before. I feel good because I got the opportunity to be out there.”

Alcantara is not expected to pitch in 2024, but his tireless work ethic being on display throughout the rehab process and the fact that he has been present all throughout spring training doesn’t get lost on his teammates and coaches.

“Nobody’s happy about it,” pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. said earlier in spring training about Alcantara not pitching in 2024, “but they’ll embrace and relish the fact that he’s still going to be around watching and supporting. … Sandy has put himself in a position, winning the Cy Young, starting to become that vocal leader. Just having him around is going to push guys because we know how Sandy’s built. He never settles. So from a player standpoint, that should push you, knowing your guy is out here every day, standing in the corner going to battle with you. He can’t do it physically, but he’s there morally supporting the staff. Nothing’s gonna falter and slip — how we work, how we push, none of that will go away.”

With Alcantara out for the season, Jesus Luzardo has stepped into the No. 1 pitcher role in the rotation. The Marlins have already named Luzardo the Opening Day starter for the season, which begins March 28 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Eury Perez is slated to be in the rotation as well. Lefty A.J. Puk, who was a high-leverage reliever for the Marlins last season, is expected to be in the rotation as well.

The final two spots to begin the season will likely be some combination of righty Edward Cabrera (who is out of minor league options) and lefties Ryan Weathers and Trevor Rogers. Lefty Braxton Garrett, who was essentially the Marlins’ No. 2 starter by the end of last season after Alcantara’s injury, is slated to start the season on the injured list because shoulder soreness slowed down his throwing progression early in camp. Garrett says he is feeling fine now, but he has yet to throw to live hitters or begin increasing his workload beyond bullpen sessions.