What happened: The Miami Marlins have deployed starting pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez as relievers over the past week. MLB Network highlighted the appearances as in-game side sessions rather than permanent role changes. Alcantara recently volunteered to pitch the ninth inning of a one-run game to secure a save.
Why it matters: With the Marlins officially eliminated from postseason contention, the club can safely experiment with unconventional pitcher usage. Treating live relief appearances as side sessions allows Miami to manage starter workloads while maintaining competitive intensity. The strategy preserves innings for the rotation in a low-stakes environment to close the regular season.
By the numbers: Miami holds a 74-77 record this season. Alcantara's recent save marked his first relief appearance since 2017, occurring just two days after he threw 101 pitches in a start.
What to watch: The Marlins will continue to balance rotation workloads and potential relief spots as they conclude their series with the Cubs.