Full Breakdown
Eury Perez’s Gracilis Strain Sidelines Marlins Starter for Eight Weeks
5/30/2026, 4:11:18 AM
The Injury and Immediate Roster Response
On Friday Miami Marlins placed right-hander Eury Perez on the 15-day injured list with a right gracilis strain, ending his season for eight weeks. The injury happened while he stretched between innings of his start against Toronto. Reliever Josh Ekness was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville, and the Marlins activated third baseman Leo Jimenez while optioning outfielder Graham Pauley to Triple-A.
Background & Season Context
Eury Perez entered 2026 after missing 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. In 12 starts he posted a 3-6 record, 4.60 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 72 strikeouts over 62.2 innings, including a nine-strikeout, four-scoreless-inning outing before the injury. The rotation was already thin after prospect Robby Snelling’s Tommy John surgery and offseason trades of starters Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers.
Key Numbers
Perez’s line reads 3-6, 4.60 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 72 strikeouts in 62.2 innings across 12 starts. The Marlins sit fourth in the NL East with a record reported as 21-31 (NY Post) and 26-31 (Athlon Sports), reflecting a slump.
On-the-Ground Report
Video from the Toronto game shows Perez stepping away from the dugout, grabbing his right thigh, and collapsing onto the bench as he describes a sudden pain. The footage captures the moment he left the mound after four innings.
Official Statements & Responses
Marlins issued a press release confirming Perez’s placement on the 15-day IL and promotion of Josh Ekness. Club noted the injury was a right gracilis strain diagnosed after imaging in New York. Perez told reporters the pain was a “10” on a scale of one to ten and that he and coaching staff agreed to end his outing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the Marlins’ exact record, citing 21-31 and 26-31. Initial reports described the injury as a hamstring spasm, later clarified as a gracilis strain. Recovery time is listed as eight weeks by MLB.com, while other outlets simply note an indefinite “foreseeable future.”
Verbatim Quotes
“I was just having a conversation with our pitching coach and suddenly I felt tightness right there in my leg and I couldn’t get up,” — Eury Perez, Marlins pitcher
“I knew I was not going to be able to go out there, and that was the same thought from our coaches, and we decided to go inside and just take a look at it.” — Eury Perez, Marlins pitcher
“It was very painful,” — Eury Perez, Marlins pitcher
What’s Next
The Marlins open a three-game series against the New York Mets on Friday, with a starter needed for Tuesday’s game. Options include recalling right-hander Ryan Gusto, Braxton Garrett, Dax Fulton, Bradley Blaylock or prospect Karson Milbrandt from Triple-A Jacksonville. The team’s playoff prospects remain slim as it continues to navigate a depleted rotation.
