Marlins name Alcántara as Opening Day starter

The Marlins have chosen Sandy Alcántara to make a franchise-record sixth Opening Day start on March 27; the team said he looks physically strong and is planning to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

The Marlins announced that right-hander Sandy Alcántara has been named the team's Opening Day starter for the March 27 home game. Alcántara will make a franchise-record sixth Opening Day start for Miami. He missed the 2024 season after Tommy John surgery and returned to start Miami's season opener last year. The team said he looks strong physically and plans to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic before rejoining camp. Key details: - Alcántara was named the Opening Day starter for the March 27 game, marking a franchise record sixth Opening Day start. - He missed the 2024 season following Tommy John surgery and returned to start last season's opener. - In 2025 he went 11-12 with a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts, and finished the year 7-3 with a 3.13 ERA over his final 12 starts. - Team officials said Alcántara showed improvement over the second half of last season after earlier struggles and trade speculation. - Alcántara is planning to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, and the Marlins expect he can get stretched out there before returning to camp. Summary: The club has committed to Alcántara as its Opening Day starter, signaling continuity at the front of the rotation. He will pitch in the World Baseball Classic and then return to Marlins camp; the team said it expects him to be near full readiness by Opening Day on March 27.