Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez could return from the 15-day injured list as early as next week after making his first rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville, according to MLB.com.
Perez has been sidelined since May 29 with a gracilis strain in his right thigh. MLB.com reported that the 23-year-old threw 51 pitches, 37 for strikes, over 3 2/3 innings Thursday for Jacksonville, allowing one run on three hits while striking out five.
Perez Clears First Rehab Test
The outing was enough for Perez to rejoin the Marlins in Miami on Friday. Manager Clayton McCullough told MLB.com that Perez will throw a pitch-design session Sunday or Monday before the club decides whether his next mound work comes in the majors.
Asked if Perez's next appearance could be for Miami, McCullough said there was a definite possibility. He also said Perez came out of the rehab outing feeling strong after getting through roughly 50 pitches.
The timeline is notable because Perez was initially expected to be out until late July under an estimated eight-week recovery window for the injury. MLB.com listed his current season line at 3-6 with a 4.60 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings across 12 starts.
Marlins Rotation Has Been Stretched
MLB Trade Rumors, citing the same MLB.com reporting, noted that Miami has had to patch together the back of its rotation while Perez and Janson Junk have been out. Robby Snelling has undergone season-ending elbow surgery, and top prospect Thomas White has dealt with a shoulder injury at Triple-A.
Sandy Alcantara and Max Meyer have been the only Miami starters to hold rotation spots all season, while Tyler Phillips and Ryan Gusto have been used to cover innings. Perez's return would give the Marlins a higher-upside option without forcing a trade-market move.
For a club trying to keep its pitching staff intact through the summer, the immediate question is simple and practical: how Perez responds after the pitch-design session. Miami now has a path to get him back before the original late-July expectation.