JUPITER, Fla. -- Right-hander Valente Bellozo began Spring Training vying for the fifth spot in the Marlins’ rotation, but his chances began to appear slim as camp wore on, especially after he was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on March 14.
Following a plethora of injuries to the Marlins’ pitching staff, however, Bellozo was afforded a final audition with a start in Saturday’s 8-2 Grapefruit League loss to the Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
The Marlins announced righty Connor Gillispie to their five-man rotation on Friday, and non-roster invitee Janson Junk was reassigned to Minor League camp on Saturday. That leaves Bellozo and No. 13 prospect Adam Mazur as the likely candidates for the last slot.
Miami manager Clayton McCullough appears optimistic about Bellozo’s ability to assume that position after his five-inning performance on Saturday.
“Valente’s going to come with us down to Miami,” McCullough said. “… And then we'll make the final determination on what the 26-man looks like prior to Opening Day.”
Bellozo, who came to Miami from Houston via trade in 2024, posted a solid 3.67 ERA in 13 starts as a rookie. Entering Saturday, he hadn’t been as sharp in Spring Training, giving up nine runs, including four homers, over 5 1/3 innings across his last two appearances -- both in relief.
He gave up another home run in Saturday's four-run first inning to St. Louis’ Willson Contreras over the left-center-field wall. Bellozo bounced back to retire eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado on a flyout, but the Cardinals put together three straight two-out hits. Brendan Donovan hit a single up the middle and Alec Burleson moved him to third on a double to right, before Jordan Walker plated both with a line drive to center.
Bellozo retired Pedro Pagés to escape the 30-pitch inning. Three of the four hits he allowed were on middle-middle pitches (two fastballs, one sweeper).
Through his next four innings though, Bellozo had his best stuff working. He threw 40 pitches, registering three strikeouts, picked off a man at first and had his first clean frame in the fourth. He continued his efficiency in the fifth, relying on the fastball that bit him in the first for 50% of his offerings, and retiring the Cardinals’ side on eight pitches. He also posted his best max velocity (91.3 mph) on said fastball, his fastest since the first inning.
“I was, I think, really good,” Bellozo said of his comeback. “They came early hitting, really good. Missed some pitches [and] execution, but after that, if we take out that first inning, everything was really good. Velo was good, execution was better … and I think we … put the team in a good position to steal in the game, and that's the most important thing right now.”
Of note: Bellozo relied heavily on his new sweeper, a pitch that McCullough said his team is encouraging the Marlins’ staff to master. Twenty of Bellozo’s 70 pitches on Saturday were sweepers (he threw 16 for strikes). He gave up just a single on one in the first, while coaxing a pair of outs.
“He really stepped on it [after the first inning],” McCullough said. “He used his fastball well at the top of the zone after he was able to get into some counts with some of his secondary. And that's Valente. … This guy doesn't back down, and ends up turning [around] what could have been a different story for today. To go five innings like that after the first inning was -- credit to him, because this guy's just a terrific competitor. And I thought he just continued to get stronger as the outing went.”
Bellozo, who stayed ready for this opportunity by building up his pitch count on the back fields following his departure from big league camp, hopes he showed enough to make the Opening Day roster.
“I think that's not my decision,” Bellozo said. “It's the decision of the front office, of the manager. Keep doing my work. Keep doing my stuff. Obviously, last outing of the spring, now we are in the mode of the season. That's important. I think I'm a really good pitcher, going from less to high intensity, and that's what I did today.”
Worth noting
Edward Cabrera will throw a bullpen Monday and pitch in Wednesday’s simulated game, which right-hander Cal Quantrill is slated to throw five innings in. Ace Sandy Alcantara will throw a bullpen leading to Thursday’s Opening Day start vs. Pittsburgh.
