Marlins Call Up Strikeout Artist Ekness

0:00It's May 2nd. Welcome in. This is MLB News Today, where the game meets AI. I'm Corey with the story. The Miami Marlins are calling a bright-handed Josh Eknus from AAA Jacksonville to fill their last spot on the 40-man roster. He's stepping in for Cade Gibson, who got optioned back down after a tough outing where he gave up four earned runs in just one and two-thirds innings. Against the Phillies. Jackson threw 50 pitches in that roughly for parents during Friday's 6-5 loss, so the team wants a fresh arm in the bullpen. Eknus is set for his big lead debut soon, bringing some strikeout heat despite a 5.68 ERA this season, over 12-2-thirds. Innings. Innings. That ERA looks rough, but is probably inflated by bad luck on balls and play and low strand rates. What stands out is his 35.6% strikeout rate, which matches his swing and miss stuff from the minors. A 12-round pick in 2023, Eknus ranks 30th on Miami's top prospects list.

1:01He packs an upper 90s fastball and a mid-80s sweeper pitches that scream closer potential if he tightens command. With closer Pete Fairbanks signline 15 days by nerve issues in his throwing hand, the bullpen shaking up, giving Eknus a real shot to stick, around and locked down late innings.