Marlins' Sandy Alcantara out vs. Guardians with Biceps Injury; Likely Back Next Week

Miami Marlins ace starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara will not make his scheduled start against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday because of biceps tendinitis, per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald.

Devin Smeltzer will take Alcantara's place for Game 1 of the team's road doubleheader beginning at 3:10 p.m. ET. Braxton Garrett will start Game 2 in the evening as previously scheduled.

Alcantara will not go on the injured list, and the Marlins are hopeful he will miss just one start and return during the team's road series against the Atlanta Braves, per McPherson. The star pitcher is currently scheduled to start the final matchup of that four-game set, which runs Monday through Thursday.

The 27-year-old went 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA (0.98 WHIP) and 207 strikeouts in 228.2 innings last year en route to the National League Cy Young award. This year has not gone as well, with Alcantara posting a 5.47 ERA in four starts.

He notably tossed a three-hit shutout against the Minnesota Twins on April 4 before allowing nine earned runs in his next outing versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

Alcantara's injury is another blow to a Marlins team that has suffered numerous ailments this year. Of note, starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Trevor Rogers, both of whom have biceps injuries, are on the 15-day injured list.

Still, the Marlins have weathered the early storm to finish over .500 (10-9) over the first 19 games, good enough for third in the NL East.