As catchers and pitchers start assembling ahead of Spring Training, the Miami Marlins bullpen collected for the first time at LoanDepot park since their 2022 elimination. Amidst this, the appearance of 24-year-old Dominican Republic-born righty pitcher Sixto Sanchez started doing numbers on the internet. After all, the injury-plagued, but transformed pitcher had returned to the Marlins setup after a very long time.

After making his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2020, and fighting hard to find a spot in the National League Rookie of the Year nominees, the 260-pound weighing pitcher was victim to an injury-plagued 2021. A series-ending MRI revealed a tear in his right shoulder. As a result, he was away for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Now, however, Sixto Sanchez is back.

Fans are excited to see Sixto back on the mound

As reported by Venezuelan reporter Daniel Álvarez-Montes, the righty pitcher is finally back in the Marlins setup. And this time, he’s back after losing 46 pounds.

Daniel Alvarez-Montes reported through his Twitter account with the picture of the Dominican-born, saying, “Here’s Sixto Sánchez. He says he’s lost about 46 pounds.”

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Since the 2020 season, and Spring Training in 2021, Sanchez, who was considered among the top baseball prospects, is yet to make an appearance. Fans, on the other hand, while reacting humorously to questioning his very existence, celebrated his return to Miami. Various fans reacted to the news with hopes of watching Sixto back on the mound. They also spoke about how his return could strengthen the Marlins’ already sturdy rotation.

Before his injury struck, Sixto recorded fastballs touching triple digits with ease. Along with Sandy Alcantara, Johnny Cueto, and Edward Cabrera, Sixto’s addition to an already strong rotation can mean trouble for the National League East Division.

What did the Miami Marlins ace say about his transformed body?

While talking about his disciplined regime, which led to his brave weight loss, Sanchez spoke about how the reduced weight will benefit his right shoulder. Sanchez, while talking through an interpreter, said, “I think that it can help me a little more. You’ve got to put a little more pressure to your shoulder with the weight, a little extra work that I have to put. But I feel very light right now, so I think that could work to my benefit.”

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What do you think about Sanchez’s return to the Major League? Are you excited to see him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!