Sierra placed on IL with right hamstring strain
The Marlins placed outfielder Magneuris Sierra on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Monday) with a right hamstring strain and recalled left-hander Brandon Leibrandt from the alternate training site prior to Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Mets at Citi Field. The team also returned Josh D. Smith to the alternate training site.
Manager Don Mattingly said Sierra dealt with hamstring issues on Sunday against the Nationals. The Marlins then decided to give Sierra the doubleheader off against the Mets on Tuesday, but the injury didn’t get any better. Mattingly doesn’t expect Sierra to heal quickly.
“We knew it was going to be an IL. He has been playing well. He came a long way,” Mattingly said.
This browser does not support the video element.
Without any Minor League options remaining, Sierra made the Opening Day roster and has taken advantage of the opportunity, slashing .278/.372/.417 with three doubles, one triple, eight runs, seven RBIs and four stolen bases in 15 games.
As a September 2019 callup, Sierra's season was cut short by a mild left hamstring strain.
Leibrandt pitched the fifth inning on Wednesday in his second stint with the club this season. In his Major League debut on Sunday, he pitched four shutout innings of long relief against the Nationals to save the bullpen.
This browser does not support the video element.
As for Smith, he has appeared in two games and allowed two runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Sixto's pitch count built up
Right-hander Sixto Sánchez, the Marlins’ top prospect and 24th overall per MLB Pipeline, is scheduled to face the Mets on Thursday night in his second start. Mattingly would not be surprised if Sánchez threw anywhere from 90 to 100 pitches.
“We talked about it with him the entire time. He is built up physically to pitch,” Mattingly said. “For him to go 90 pitches to 100 pitches, he has to pitch [well] at the end of the game and for us to be in the game. He dictates how far he can go. Sixto is built up to have a start where you are not afraid to get to 100 pitches -- in that range. Obviously, we are going to be careful with all of our guys, but he is no different. He is fully built up ready to pitch.”
This browser does not support the video element.
In his Major League debut on Saturday, Sánchez allowed three runs in five innings and picked up the win. But don’t think Sánchez is satisfied with what he accomplished against the Nationals.
“I truly trust and know that I have good pitches. My curveball was there. The slider was there. The changeup was pretty good. But I think I need to work on my high fastball. That’s the key to what I’m doing,” Sánchez said. “Sometimes, I leave it there in the middle of the plate. So I have to work on that one.”