The Marlins rotation has some reinforcements on the way, as both right-hander and left-hander began rehab a signments over the weekend. Prez to sed one inning for Single-A Jupiter on Saturday while Weathers logged three innings for the same club on Sunday. The timing is fairly notable with Prez, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April of last year. Back in February, that he was targeting a return around the All-Star break this year. It now seems as though hes on pace to beat that timeline. A rehab a signment for a pitcher can normally last as long as 30 days, though that can be extended for Tommy John recoveries. For those pitchers, its po sible to extend the 30-day rehab window by an extra 10 days. That extension can happen as many as three times, meaning the total rehab a signment can eventually get up to 60 days. But even if Prez ends up rehabbing for close to 60 days, that would only take him to mid-to-late June, well before the mid-July All-Star break. Prior to his surgery, Prez was in the proce s of establishing himself as a future ace. He was one of the top prospects in the sport before his debut. He made it to the majors in 2023, only 20 years old at the time, and to sed 91 1/3 innings over 19 starts. He allowed 3.15 earned runs per nine with a 28.9% strikeout rate and 8.3% walk rate. Ideally, hell be able to pick up right where he left off when he returns. The Marlins control him through 2029, so he could be a pillar of their rotation for years to come. The baseball industry is expecting to be traded this summer, so perhaps Prez can take over as the rotations anchor. As for Weathers, he was once a top 100 prospect with the Padres but struggled in his initial attempts against big league hitters. He was acquired by the Marlins at the 2023 deadline and then finally had some major league succe s in 2024. He posted a 3.63 ERA in 16 starts for the Marlins last year with a 21.8% strikeout rate, 6.5% walk rate and 46.6% ground ball rate. Unfortunately, John Wall Jersey health has been stalling that breakout. A left index finger strain kept him on the injured list for most of the second half of last year. He then suffered a forearm strain before Opening Day of this year, which has led to him spending the entire season on the IL so far. He will likely return ahead of Prez since hes not coming back from surgery and also seems to be further along in his build-up. The Marlins optioned yesterday, dropping them down to four starters. He allowed seven runs in two innings against the Mariners on Saturday, bumping his ERA to 8.65 for the year. That temporarily gives them a four-man rotation of Alcantara, , and . Perhaps will get a chance to replace Gillispie, since he has a 1.44 ERA in Triple-A at the moment. is also on the 40-man and is sitting on a 1.59 ERA in Triple-A. By the time Weathers and Prez get back into the mix, the club will want to open spots for them. Alcantara isnt going anywhere. Hes out to a rough start, with a 6.56 ERA through five outings, but the club will give him lots of time to get back on track after mi sing 2024 while recovering from his own Tommy John surgery. Meyer has options and can technically be sent to the minors but hes been the clubs best pitcher this year, with a 3.18 ERA, 33.1% strikeout rate, 7.7% walk rate and 56.1% ground ball rate. Cabrera and Quantrill are perhaps le s secure. Quantrill is sitting on a 7.83 ERA right now. Hes never been a huge strikeout guy but his 12.5% rate this year is even lower than his own standards. Cabrera has always combined strikeouts with walks to mixed results, which is still the situation. He has punched out 26.9% of opponents this year but has also given out free pa ses at an 11.9% rate. He currently has a 6.14 ERA on the year, though he mi sed some time with a blister and has only made three starts. Its po sible the rotation outlook will change by the time Weathers and Prez are back in the mix, due to other injuries or shifts in performance, but the Marlins may have to make some decisions about who holds onto a rotation job. The picture will likely change again ahead of the July trade deadline. As mentioned, its expected that Alcantara will be moved this summer, though the club may hold onto him if his struggles continue. Quantrill is on a one-year deal and should be available as well, though he would also have to turn his results around to have trade appeal. Cabrera has been in plenty of trade rumors over the years but is under club control through 2028. Photo courtesy of Rhona Wise, Imagn Images Dwight Howard Jersey