Pirates Set To Face Marlins Young Ace In Major League Return

The Pittsburgh Pirates will attempt to spoil a highly-anticipated comeback.

After sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pirates begin a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Monday. While the Marlins will avoid Paul Skenes, the Pirates will encounter Miami’s young ace.

Eury Pérez will take the mound for Miami for the first time since Sept. 20, 2023. The 22-year-old is scheduled to return from Tommy John surgery, which cost him the entire 2024 season.

“It will definitely be emotional,” Pérez told reporters through an interpreter, via MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola. “I’m very excited, but a little bit nervous, too. It has been a while for me. I’ve been away from the field. I’m just looking forward to competing and doing the best I can. It has been a long time.”

Making his debut at age 20, the dynamic right-handed pitcher took the majors by storm. He recorded a 3.15 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings.

Before he could begin a second-year encore, Pérez underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024. He considered the silver lining of having the increasingly common procedure so early in his career.

“I think it was something that was going to eventually happen at some point, so it was good to happen when I was younger so it’s better to heal,” Pérez said. “My mentality is fully set on recuperating and getting better so I can have a strong arm and pitch for many, many years to come.”

Based on his promising rehab results, Pérez could hit the ground running. He posted a 1.99 ERA in eight minor-league appearances and threw a fastball 99.3 mph during his most recent Triple-A outing.

On the other side, Mike Burrows will start for Pittsburgh after blanking the Houston Astros over 5 1/3 innings last Wednesday. Monday’s game starts at 6:40 p.m. ET.

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