Max Meyer (neck) remains shut down from throwing

There simply isn’t enough time for Meyer to make the kind of progress that would enable him to pitch again before the regular season concludes. The 27-year-old engineered a phenomenal breakout campaign, posting a sparkling 2.68 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 121/41 K/BB ratio across 111 innings over 20 starts, prior to hitting the injured list with a neck injury in late July. All signs point to Meyer having a relatively normal offseason and being ready for spring training.

Meyer landed on the injured list with a neck strain before the All-Star break and then also needed a cortisone shot in August. There are only three weeks left in the season, so there doesn’t seem to be enough time for Meyer to build up and return as a starter. It remains to be seen what the Marlins’ plan for him is, but it likely will be impacted by how he responds to his early throwing sessions.

Meyer has been on the injured list with a neck strain since last month’s All-Star break. It’ll be challenging for the 27-year-old to make it back before the end of the regular season since he’s essentially going to have to start his throwing progression from the ground floor. However, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough has expressed optimism that he’ll return this season. There should be a definitive update on his status at some point in the coming days.

That doesn’t bode well for Meyer returning to make a meaningful contribution down the stretch. With two weeks of no throwing and about five weeks of buildup, the best-case scenario is probably him making three starts before the end of the regular season. He could potentially make it back earlier as a reliever, if the Marlins wanted to go that route.

It’s unclear how much time Meyer will miss after throwing just 74 pitches across three innings on Saturday against the Brewers. The 27-year-old emerging Marlins ace was outstanding during the first half, earning his first All-Star Game selection in the process. However, he’s already up to 111 innings, which is right around his previous career-high mark set back in 2024. It’s a tough break for Miami, and fantasy managers, but Meyer could probably use an extended break at this point in the year. There should be some clarity on his status in the coming days.

Meyer was up to 74 pitches after a 31-pitch third, so the Marlins employed a quick hook in his first start in 11 days. With the team in contention, Meyer figures to finish the year in the rotation. Still, more early exits seem likely. He finished today at 111 innings, leaving him just four shy of his career high from 2024. He came in at 64 2/3 last year before undergoing hip surgery missing the final four months. Meyer is due to face the Padres next weekend.

Meyer had his final first-half start skipped for workload reasons and he declined to pitch in the All-Star Game for the same reasons. The 27-year-old former top pitching prospect finally delivered his long-awaited sustained breakthrough with a phenomenal first half, pitching to a 9-1 record with a sparkling 2.58 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 116/38 K/BB ratio across a career-high 108 innings over 19 starts. There are zero physical concerns for Meyer as he opens the second half with a tough road matchup in Milwaukee.

Sunday will be a bullpen game due to a career-high workload for Meyer in the season’s first half. He’ll also sit out the All-Star game despite being selected. Meyer has been phenomenal in working to a 2.58 ERA in the season’s first half, going 9-1 and striking out 116 batters in 108 innings pitched.

Meyer was cruising early on in this one, holding Seattle to just a pair of runs into the sixth inning before being pulled after loading the bases with nobody out. He finished with four strikeouts and issued two walks. Fortunately, reliever Michael Petersen came on to put out the bases-loaded fire without any runs crossing the plate. The 27-year-old All-Star righty holds a strong 2.58 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 116/38 K/BB ratio across 108 innings of work. He’ll get the ball for Sunday’s first-half finale against the Guardians.

It’s a colossal bummer for baseball fans hoping to see Misiorowski hurling triple-digit heaters during next week’s Midsummer Classic, but this was always the expected outcome here. Skenes, Misorowski and Meyer are all taking the ball for their respective club’s first-half finales on Sunday, which means there was zero chance they would be able to pitch in the All-Star Game just three days later. Luzardo, Ashcraft and O’Brien are headed to the game for the first time in their respective careers. It’s likely going to be Shohei Ohtani taking the ball to start for the National League based on how things are lining up from a schedule standpoint.