Miami Marlins pitcher Janson Junk (26) throws the ball during the team’s first full-squad spring training workout at Roger Dean Stadium on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Jupiter, Fla.
Photo by Matias J. Ocner
mocner@miamiherald.com
The Miami Marlins on Friday optioned left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrett to Triple A Jacksonville, a move that formally put the team’s starting rotation to begin the 2026 season in place.
The Marlins’ five starting pitchers, in order, to begin the season, according to manager Clayton McCullough: Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer, Chris Paddack and Janson Junk.
Alcantara had already been named Miami’s Opening Day starter for March 27 against the Colorado Rockies (7:10 p.m., MarlinsTV) at loanDepot park. Perez, Meyer and Paddack were seen as locks to be part of the rotation.
The final spot at that point was primarily between Junk and Garrett.
Garrett missed all of the 2025 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Prior to the injury, Garrett had a breakout 2023 season (3.66 ERA over 159 2/3 innings) and made seven starts early in 2024 before sustaining the elbow injury.
Junk, who was out of minor-league options and had to make the big-league roster or start the season on the injured list or else be subjected to waivers, made 21 appearances (16 starts) for Miami last season and pitched to a 4.17 ERA over 110 innings. Junk missed time early in spring training after rolling his ankle on Feb. 17. He has made three Grapefruit League appearances so far, pitching into the third inning once.
“I will say this: It was very difficult, and in some ways, it’s a good thing that it was so difficult,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough told reporters in Jupiter. “It means that a high number of our potential starters that came into this camp, outside of Adam [Mazur], have stayed healthy, and they’ve performed. We like where a lot of our guys are, and yeah, it was tough. Brax has worked his butt off to get back. He’s put in a lot of time to get himself healthy. He was throwing the ball well this spring, and just felt like to start the year that we had five that I wanted to go with.
“There’s a part of this looking out for the entire season,” McCullough added. “We’re going to need depth, and we’re going to need as many options as we can, and so Brax will start off in Triple-A and just continue to get built up and go pitch. He’s a pro, and I know that when we do need him, which we will, he’ll come up and help.”
Miami, as such, will carry five right-handed pitchers in its rotation to begin the season.
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Miami Herald
Jordan McPherson covers the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Panthers for the Miami Herald. He attended the University of Florida and covered the Gators athletic program for five years before joining the Herald staff in December 2017.