A much lighter Sixto works to make his comeback

MIAMI -- The 2023 Marlins assembled for the first time on Friday at loanDepot park to record scoreboard videos, and one player in particular turned heads: right-hander Sixto Sánchez.

Sánchez, who weighed as much as 260 pounds in 2022, has lost 46 pounds thanks to a disciplined diet and workout regimen. Once considered one of baseball's top prospects (he was No. 15 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list entering the '21 season), the 24-year-old hasn't appeared in a game since Spring Training 2021 due to various shoulder ailments.

"I think that it can help me a little more," Sánchez said via interpreter Luis Dorante Jr. "You've got to put a little more pressure to your shoulder with the weight, a little extra work that I have to put. But I feel very light right now, so I think that could work to my benefit."

"Knowing him, he's going to come out of this difficult period that he's been dealing with," former prospect and Minor League teammate Edward Cabrera said via Dorante. "He's a guy, very talented. I was very surprised when I saw him. He looks great. He really surprised everyone. Looking forward to seeing him on this level."

Sánchez's right shoulder initially began giving him trouble during a simulated game in March 2021. After multiple setbacks, Sánchez underwent an initial procedure on his shoulder on July 20. The discomfort resurfaced following a sim game last Aug. 17, so he underwent right shoulder arthroscopic bursectomy surgery on Oct. 5.

Miami's No. 10 prospect remained in Jupiter, Fla., to train, only going home to the Dominican Republic over the holidays. Sánchez used his success as a rookie in 2020 -- clinching the National League Wild Card Series with a solid performance in Game 2 at Wrigley Field -- as motivation. He wants to rejoin the ballclub and help it again.

"It was very, very hard for me," Sánchez said. "A couple of years, you watch the games, you see your teammates playing, and you really want to be there. And the frustration was really high. It wasn't easy for me to maintain a positive attitude. It was really hard because it was just setback after setback, and just trying to come back and see that and trying to maintain that positive energy was very difficult. But thank goodness we're here where we're at right now and looking forward."

Sánchez, who has thrown five bullpen sessions, reached 88 mph his last time on the mound. His arm feels more fluid after the second surgery.

While Sánchez is preparing to participate in Spring Training, he said he is at 85%. Regardless of whether Sánchez pitches in a Grapefruit League game this spring, the Marlins were able to get a fourth Minor League option for him.

"It's kind of up to him and his progression, right?" manager Skip Schumaker said. "He probably lost about 40-something pounds, looks really good. Again, I've only seen Sixto on video. So when he's throwing bullpens, it's video, his throwing program is video. As you guys know, it's been a slow, slow rehab, and I don't think anybody's as frustrated as Sixto. He wants to pitch here.

"It's kind of up to our training staff and his progression, and you don't want to fast forward it too much. I know he probably does. But I think you just have to kind of slow play it so we can get this guy right. But this guy looks like he's playing catch at 90 [mph], and then that's like his regular throwing progression. No hiccups right now, which is great news, and hopefully, we'll see him at some point during the season."