Marlins Option Garrett to Triple-A, Retain Junk as Fifth Starter

The Miami Marlins just shook up their pitching depth. They optioned Braxton Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville and named Janson Junk as their opening-day No. 5 starter.

This move balances Garrett’s recovery from Tommy John surgery with the team’s immediate rotation needs. Junk now gets a real shot to show he belongs in the Marlins’ plans this year.

Marlins’ Rotation Shake-Up: Garrett to Jacksonville, Junk to Open Day

Braxton Garrett, the lefty who missed all of 2025 after Tommy John surgery, will start the season in the minors. He needs time to build up arm strength and workload. Meanwhile, Janson Junk, 30, earned a spot as the No. 5 starter after going 6-4 with a 4.17 ERA in 2025 across 21 appearances, including 16 starts.

With Garrett in Jacksonville, the Marlins’ rotation features Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Max Meyer, Chris Paddack, and Junk. Manager Clayton McCullough said Garrett will use his time in Jacksonville to ramp up for a big-league workload. He hinted the lefty could rejoin Miami’s rotation later this season.

Why Junk Was Named the Fifth Starter

Junk’s 2025 numbers gave the Marlins enough confidence to hand him the fifth spot. The team wants to preserve depth behind Alcantara and Pérez and see what Junk can do with regular starts. It’s not just about spring stats—this is a calculated plan to balance health, stamina, and performance as the season gets going.

Garrett’s Rehab Road Ahead: From Tommy John to Opening Day

Garrett, 28, is still in a crucial build-up phase after Tommy John surgery. He missed an entire season because of it.

The Marlins want to make sure he returns with a workload he can handle. They don’t want to overwork an arm that’s already been through a major procedure.

McCullough made it clear: they won’t rush Garrett back to the majors. Instead, they’re mapping out a gradual path so he can fill a productive role later this season if the team needs him.

This approach keeps the club flexible. Garrett’s timeline for rejoining the big-league staff depends on his progress through spring and minor-league rehab starts.

He’ll probably focus on building up innings as a long reliever and maybe even as a starter, depending on how things go.

Strategic Implications for the Marlins’ 2026 Season

The Garrett-Junk move says a lot about what Miami’s aiming for as the season ramps up. Here’s how it shakes out:

• Immediate rotation stability: By locking in Junk as the No. 5 starter, the Marlins get a dependable fifth arm and can spread out the workload a bit more.
• Health management: They’re treating Garrett’s recovery with caution, giving him time to ramp up safely and hopefully avoid any setbacks.
• Depth and flexibility: Keeping Garrett in Jacksonville means they’ve got a strong backup option if they need a call-up or run into injuries.
• Long-term planning: This setup balances the need to win now with the hope that Garrett can play a bigger role down the road.

As spring plays out, people will be watching the Marlins’ pitching staff closely. Can Junk hold onto that No. 5 spot, and will Garrett’s rehab move fast enough for him to make a real impact?

The team has put together a practical plan that aims for both consistency in 2026 and a careful, patient return for Garrett.

 
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