Sandy Alcántara to Start Opening Day for Miami Marlins: Key Details

JUPITER, Fla. – For the sixth consecutive year, right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara will take the mound for the Miami Marlins on Opening Day. The announcement came Friday, solidifying Alcantara’s position as the cornerstone of the Marlins’ pitching staff as they prepare to host the Colorado Rockies on March 27 at loanDepot park.

The franchise record for Opening Day starts was confirmed by manager Clayton McCullough, who delivered the news to Alcantara early Friday morning. “It couldn’t be a more appropriate Opening Day, with this season starting with you on the mound and at home,” McCullough told Alcantara, according to MLB.com. “It’s not a secret. You’ll get the ball on Opening Day. You deserve it. So, Opening Day starter again. You deserve it. Friday night at home against the Rockies. It’s all yours, big guy.”

Alcantara, a two-time All-Star and the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. “Thank you, sir,” Alcantara responded. “I came here with the mentality of competing as always for a spot, No. 1, No. 2, whatever. Very excited for another opportunity to be on the mound for the Marlins, and I’m very happy.”

The upcoming season marks Alcantara’s return to full strength after missing the entire 2024 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery. He returned to the mound for the Marlins’ 2025 season opener and finished the year with an 11-12 record and a 5.36 ERA across 31 starts. While his overall numbers reflected a pitcher working his way back to form, Alcantara demonstrated significant improvement in the second half of the season, posting a 7-3 record with a 3.13 ERA over his final 12 outings.

McCullough highlighted Alcantara’s resilience throughout the 2025 season, particularly in the face of trade speculation. “I probably was most proud of just how he continued to push forward last season and how he was able to finish,” McCullough said. “We saw the really good version of Sandy the last two or three months of the season.” Team president of baseball operations, Peter Bendix, echoed this sentiment, noting that Alcantara was essentially “rehabbing in the big leagues on the fly” during the first half of the year and that his second-half performance showcased his full potential.

Despite a history of trade rumors surrounding the star pitcher, the Marlins remained committed to retaining Alcantara, even after trading away starters Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers during the offseason. This decision underscores the organization’s belief in Alcantara’s ability to lead the pitching staff and contribute to their long-term success.

Alcantara’s previous five Opening Day starts have yielded a 2-3 record for the Marlins. He will look to improve upon that mark against a rebuilding Colorado Rockies team. The 30-year-old right-hander has a career record of 52-67 with a 3.65 ERA in 177 career games, including 169 starts. He initially began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017 before being traded to Miami in 2018.

Before taking the mound for the Marlins, Alcantara will join the Dominican Republic national team for participation in the World Baseball Classic in March. He has already reported to Marlins spring training and will take a brief hiatus to fulfill his international commitment.

Alcantara has logged 1075.1 innings pitched in his career, recording 931 strikeouts and 330 walks. He has made eight relief appearances, all during his time with the Cardinals.

The Marlins will be looking for a strong start to the 2026 season, and placing the ball in Alcantara’s hands on Opening Day signals their confidence in his ability to deliver. The veteran pitcher’s experience, talent, and dedication will be crucial as the Marlins aim to contend in a competitive National League East division.