Sandy Alcantara returning to Cy Young form through two starts

After a disastrous past two seasons, Miami Marlins starting pitcher and 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara appears to have returned to form.

Sandy Alcantara has been dominant through two starts

After tossing seven innings and allowing just one unearned run against the Colorado Rockies on Opening Day, Alcantara one-upped himself on Wednesday.

In a 10-0 win against the Chicago White Sox, Alcantara pitched his first complete game since August 2023. Even more impressive was the fact that his complete game was also a shutout. 

It is the first complete game shutout for the former Cy Young Award winner since April 4, 2023. 

What a healthy season could mean

Alcantara has been at the forefront of trade conversations since his return from Tommy John surgery. His early season performance makes it appear that he has returned to the ace pitcher he was before missing the entire 2024 season.

There is also a world, though, where Miami continues its hot streak and the club decides to hold onto Alcantara to try and make a postseason push.

Whatever the club decides is best, Alcantara returning to ace-level may earn him a nice payday when he hits the free-agent market after the 2027 season.