Braxton Garrett: Everything you need to know

The Marlins optioned Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday. After being sidelined all of last season while recovering from elbow surgery, Garrett will begin 2026 in the minors after giving up three runs with three strikeouts and three walks over four Grapefruit League innings. The left-hander will likely get a look in Miami's rotation at some point this season, but it'll be Janson Junk who begins the campaign as the No. 5 starter.

Garrett may not begin the season in the Marlins' rotation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. The 28-year-old southpaw didn't pitch at all in 2025 while recovering from elbow surgery, and the Marlins may decide to be cautious with the final stages of his recovery, either by optioning him to Triple-A Jacksonville, or by placing him on the IL and giving him a rehab assignment to begin the season. Garrett's 6.75 ERA and 3:3 K:BB through four spring innings also don't make a strong case that he's ready to handle a regular turn in the big-league rotation. Janson Junk would likely fill the fifth starter role until Miami deems Garrett ready to make his return.

Garrett allowed one run on one hit and one walk over three innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out two. The southpaw threw 23 of 37 pitches for strikes, but while his line in the box score was good, Garrett wasn't able to match the velocity he's been flashing during batting practice sessions in camp. He sat just 91-92 mph with his four-seam fastball against the Cards and topping out at 93.6 mph. That would still be a step up from what he was showing prior to UCL revision surgery in December 2024, however, as the pitch averaged just 90.7 mph in 2024 and 90.8 mph in 2023. After not seeing game action at all in 2025, Garrett has been healthy to begin spring training and remains a favorite to open the season in the Miami rotation.