Pete

Fairbanks

Fairbanks touched 97 and struck out Nolan Arenado and LuJames Groover to hold a 2-0 lead. It was a needed quiet outing for the veteran, who hadn’t had an outing without traffic since June 1 and cut his ERA to 6.63 -- his first ERA under seven since April 5’s appearance as an opener before he hit the paternity list.

The official scorer picked Fairbanks for the win after the Marlins scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to make it a 10-6 game. There was no save situation on the line at that point. so those rostering Fairbanks should be thankful. Calvin Faucher also could have been the pick after getting two outs in a three-run eighth, but that would have left Fairbanks out of the mix entirely.

Fairbanks plunked Dylan Crews and gave up a single to Curtis Mead to open the ninth, but he then retired CJ Abrams, Jacob Young and Daylen Lile in order. It’s the 11th time in 18 appearances this year that Fairbanks has gone without allowing a run. He still has a 6.61 ERA overall.

Fairbanks came on to work in a 7-7 game in the 10th inning after the Marlins came up empty in the top half of the frame. He got Juan Soto to fly out to center to start the inning, keeping Vidal Brujan at second base, but MJ Melendez followed with a walk-off two-run blast that ended it. Fairbanks now holds an unsightly 7.53 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 14 1/3 innings on the season while converting six of his first eight save chances.

Fairbanks made easy work of the bottom of the Mets’ lineup with two strikeouts before walking Carson Benge who reached base as the tying run. Tense as it was, he forced a lazy fly ball from Bo Bichette to end the threat and save his first game in a month, before he went on the injured list. His hold on the closer’s job still appears to be strong despite an ugly 8.25 ERA so far this season.

Fairbanks was summoned in the ninth to close out the game against the Rays with a one-run lead. He issued a walk to Cedric Mullins with one out. Mullins would steal second and reach third on a throwing error before scoring on a single to tie the game. Fairbanks would finish out the inning with two strikeouts, then fell in line for a win in the tenth.

As expected, Fairbanks returns to anchor Miami’s bullpen ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Twins following a minimum stay on the injured list due to nerve irritation in his pitching hand. The 32-year-old closer converted five of six save opportunities and allowed 10 runs over nine innings prior to hitting the shelf on April 28. He should be rostered in all fantasy formats, despite holding a cringe-inducing 10.00 ERA this season.

Fairbanks is eligible to return on Tuesday and it sounds like he’ll be ready then or shortly thereafter. Fantasy managers who have been anxiously awaiting his return can probably roll him out there in weekly leagues as long as there’s no negative news before Monday.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough told reporters the expectation is that Fairbanks will be ready to return to Miami’s bullpen next week when they head out on a road trip to face the Twins and Rays. The 32-year-old closer has been working his way back after landing on the shelf with nerve irritation in his pitching hand back on April 28. There should be a final decision on his status following Sunday’s throwing session. His return would provide a massive lift for the Marlins by solidifying their closing situation.

Fairbanks is making steady progress towards returning to Miami’s bullpen after hitting the injured list with nerve irritation in his pitching hand back on April 28. The 32-year-old closer might be able to return without a rehab assignment, but that decision won’t be made until he starts facing hitters again. The Marlins could certainly use the help at the back-end of their bullpen.