Max Meyer, Marlins take aim at Diamondbacks

Miami Marlins right-hander Max Meyer underwent elbow surgery in August 2022.

It’s only now — nearly three years later — that Meyer is starting to feel like his old self again.

On Wednesday night, Meyer (1-1, 2.00 ERA) will take the mound when the Marlins host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second contest of a three-game series.

Arizona will counter with right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (2-1, 3.50 ERA).

Meyer, 26, has not allowed more than three runs in any of his three starts this season. Most recently, he went 6 1/3 innings last Wednesday in a 5-0 win over the New York Mets. Meyer allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four.

“I’m able to finally throw without pain,” he said. “I have the confidence I used to have in high school and college.”

Indeed, Meyer was the third overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft after a three-year career at the University of Minnesota.

Meyer made 46 appearances in college, including 15 starts, and had an ERA below 2.30 in each season.

Perhaps he is getting back to that form now.

“I’m attacking the zone,” said Meyer, who has never faced the Diamondbacks. “In the past (in the pros), I think I was ‘playing defense’ more, and I never want to do that again.

“Now, I’m attacking. I’m the one who is on offense.”

Pfaadt, 26, was Arizona’s fifth-round pick in 2020 out of Louisville’s prep ranks. Featuring a mid-90s fastball and a slider, he was a workhorse last season, producing team highs in starts (32) and innings pitched (181 2/3).

Overall, he went 11-10 with a 4.71 ERA, but he faded down the stretch. He had a 3.97 ERA in the first half of last season and a 5.93 ERA in the second half.

Pfaadt, who is 1-1 with an 8.71 ERA in two career starts against Miami, is part of a Diamondbacks’ rotation that features stars such as Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen.

The Diamondbacks are on a three-game winning streak, and they are allowing an average of 3.3 runs per game during that span.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said it was a “tough road” early this season for his starting pitchers, but he added that it was “a matter of time” before corrections are made.

“I’m not surprised at the stretch we’re on right now,” Lovullo said Tuesday. “If you are patient and wait it out … These guys are trained athletes and unbelievable performers. They trust their coaching.

“It doesn’t always work great, but we stay with the plan.”

Offensively, the Diamondbacks are led by right fielder Corbin Carroll, who has six homers, 15 RBIs and a 1.158 OPS this season. That includes his performance on Tuesday, when he hit a grand slam and drove in five runs.

For the Marlins, center fielder Jesus Sanchez, who missed the start of the season due to an oblique strain, returned to the lineup on Tuesday. He went 1-for-4 in his 2025 debut.

–Field Level Media