With their postseason hopes facing an uphill battle, the Miami Marlins are set to get their closer back.
Pete Fairbanks, who landed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 25 because of right median nerve irritation, is expected to be reinstated on Wednesday, according to MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola.
The 32-year-old threw live batting practice on Saturday and a bullpen-type session on Monday.
Fairbanks’ return is a welcome sight for a young, inexperienced Marlins bullpen that has struggled since he was sidelined. Since Aug. 25, Miami relievers have posted a 4.67 ERA, which ranks 20th in baseball during that span.
While Fairbanks’ 4-5 record and 6.02 ERA over 40.1 innings this season have not been ideal, he was finally looking like the pitcher Miami paid for this past offseason. Right before his injury, he looked every bit like the dominant closer the Marlins expected when they signed him to a one-year, $13 million contract.
Over 10 appearances from Jul. 26 to Aug. 23, Fairbanks posted a 0.90 ERA, allowing just one earned run on two hits over 10 innings.
In his Aug. 24 appearance against the Boston Red Sox, the right-hander issued a five-pitch walk to the first batter he faced before motioning to the dugout and exiting the game.
Fairbanks dealt with nerve irritation earlier this season and was placed on the 15-day injured list on Apr. 28. Fortunately, that stint on the shelf was minimal, and this one is expected to be the same.
Fairbanks’ injuries have just been a few of the many that have decimated Miami’s bullpen in 2026.
Anthony Bender, who impressed with a 2.62 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over 35 games this season, has been sidelined since Jun. 27 because of a right shin stress reaction. Meanwhile, 2025 breakout reliever Ronny Henriquez has not and will not pitch at all this season after undergoing right elbow UCL reconstruction surgery with an internal brace procedure.
Those injuries to high-leverage arms have forced the Marlins to rely on a revolving door of relievers with very little major league experience in crucial spots.
Nonetheless, the return of Fairbanks will hopefully provide Miami with a proven anchor in its bullpen as the Marlins fight to stay in the postseason race.
Entering Wednesday, Miami (72-74) sits six games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final National League Wild Card spot.
The Marlins will look to avoid a sweep against the New York Mets on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. ET.
