Marlins lose prized right-hander for second time in four seasons

This marks the second time in the last four years that Meyer has lost time to injury. 

Meyer debuted in July 2022, but left his second start with an elbow injury that would require Tommy John surgery and cost him the entire 2023 season. 2024 was, effectively, a lost season, as well. The Marlins shuffled him back and forth between the majors and Triple-A for much of the season to manage his workload. 

Entering the 2025 season, the 26-year-old Meyer had just 63.0 IP to his credit in the major leagues. 

Miami used the No. 3 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft to select Meyer after an impressive three-year career at Minnesota. He was the first arm drafted that year and the belief was that he could develop into a reliable mid-rotation option. 

Meyer finally appeared to be settling into that role this season. He opened the year in Miami's starting rotation and impressed with a 2.10 ERA over his first five starts. That included one of the best outings of his career against the Cincinnati Reds, when he pitched six shutout innings while striking out 14. 

His ERA since is above 7.00 and he saw a drop in his strikeout rate before landing on the injured list in early June. One has to wonder how long he's been trying to pitch through the injury.  

Miami is 31-45 on the season and is in last place in the NL East, entering play on Tuesday. The team has now lost Meyer and left-hander Braxton Garrett to season-ending surgeries. Lefty Ryan Weathers is out at least until August with a lat strain. Right-handers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera both have found themselves entrenched in trade rumors. The Marlins' rotation could look vastly different in a few weeks. 

Meyer will hope to return next spring, but after a second major injury, it might be time for Miami to consider moving him to the bullpen.