Pete

Fairbanks

Fairbanks heads to the shelf after leaving Monday’s save situation against the Dodgers with a nerve-related issue in his right thumb. There’s optimism he won’t require a lengthy absence, but he’s going to be out until at least mid-May. The logical candidates to handle the ninth inning role in his absence are Calvin Faucher, Anthony Bender and Tyler Phillips. It’ll likely be a closer-by-committee situation.

Fairbanks has Reynaud’s Syndrome, which leads to poor blood flow to his fingers in cold weather, but no word yet if tonight’s issue was related to that. Fairbanks wound up being charged with three runs in one-third of an inning and took his second loss tonight. If he’s forced to the IL, then Tyler Phillips, Calvin Faucher and Anthony Bender could be candidates for saves.

Phillips came in to replace Pete Fairbanks after Fairbanks left Sunday’s appearance with a thumb issue, and while he got Will Smith to strike out with the bases loaded, he gave up a two-run single to Kyle Tucker for his first blown save of 2026. If Fairbanks needs to go on the injured list, it’ll likely be a closer-by-committee with Phillips, Anthony Bender and Calvin Faucher all possible options.

Working with a 4-2 lead, Fairbanks walked two and gave up an RBI double to Shohei Ohtani with one out. He then intentionally walked Freddie Freeman after a 3-0 count and departed with a trainer. If he’s going to miss some time, the Marlins probably won’t pick a sole closer right away. Calvin Faucher, Tyler Phillips and Anthony Bender would all be candidates for saves.

The Marlins were up 4-0 heading into the ninth inning, but Ivan Herrera clubbed a home run, and Nolan Gorman walked, which prompted the team to bring in Fairbanks to close out the game. He got a quick flyout and strikeout to record his fifth save of the season for the Marlins. His ERA may be inflated, but he’s only had two bad appearances this season, right before and after going on the Paternity List. We would not be worried.

Fairbanks allowed a leadoff triple to Masyn Winn, who scored on a Ramón Urías sac fly. He then struck out Thomas Saggese and José Fermín. Fairbanks figures to be down Tuesday after earning saves on back-to-back days. Anthony Bender or Tyler Phillips could close in his place.

Fairbanks saved the Marlins’ first two games of the season last month, but this is his first conversion since. He blew his only other opportunity against the Braves on Tuesday. He got the bottom of the order today and struck out Luis Rengifo and Brandon Lockridge before a Blake Perkins groundout.

Fairbanks was handed a two-run cushion in the ninth, but it wasn’t enough, he allowed three hits, and the biggest of those was a bases-loaded double from Dominic Smith that scored all three and gave Fairbanks his first blown save as a Marlin. It’s disappointing, but for those who roster the right-hander, he gets the job done more than not, and he’s a lock to stick in the closing role.

Fairbanks missed the beginning of the Reds’ series to be with his growing family, but he will return in time for the final game of the series. Make sure he’s back in your lineups.

It wasn’t easy, but Petersen got the job done with Pete Fairbanks still away from the club on paternity leave. The 31-year-old journeyman was summoned to face the bottom of Cincinnati’s lineup with a three-run lead and immediately got into hot water by surrendering back-to-back infield singles. He recorded two quick outs before striking out Matt McLain to preserve the win.