Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, will miss the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery Friday to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, he announced on social media.
"I give this game my all, I give this city my all. And so I promise I will not take a day off as I push to be back better than ever. I will miss pitching, but I plan to be around the team as much as possible," Alcantara wrote in an Instagram post. "I'm confident that guys like Jesus, Eury, Edward, Garrett and Trevor will hold down the fort while I am there giving my support.
"Nothing can take away from my love for Miami and the Marlins fans."
Alcantara started experiencing discomfort in his arm during a Sept. 3 outing against the Washington Nationals in which he pitched eight innings. His injury was initially reported as a forearm strain but was later diagnosed as a UCL sprain -- an injury that typically requires Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery. His timeline for return was unknown as he had hoped to rejoin Miami for a late-season playoff push.
Alcantara experienced forearm tightness following a rehab outing with Triple-A Jacksonville on Sept. 21, and the setback ended his season.
"Very frustrating for me, a guy who likes to compete," Alcantara told reporters before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers last month. "I feel sorry for the fans, my family, my son, my friends because I'm not going to be out there this year. Just try to be ready for next year, I don't know. Stay positive."
In 28 starts this season, the 28-year-old Alcantara posted a 4.14 ERA and pitched three complete games. The right-hander went 7-12 in 184⅔ innings with 151 strikeouts and 48 walks.
The Marlins made the postseason as the NL's second wild-card team and were swept in two games by the Philadelphia Phillies.
"I am most saddened for the great Marlins fans, who were so supportive of me and the team this year," Alcantara said in his post. "The drive to the playoffs was thrilling for all of us."
Miami's current rotation includes left-handers Jesús Luzardo, Braxton Garrett and Trevor Rogers, as well as 20-year-old right-hander Eury Pérez.
In 2022, Alcantara had a 14-9 record and 2.28 ERA while leading the majors in innings (228⅔) and complete games (3) to become the Marlins' first Cy Young Award winner.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.