ANTHONY BENDER NEWS

Headed for setup role Bender has a spot secure on the Marlins' Opening Day roster but will likely begin the season in a setup role, with Calvin Faucher and Jesus Tinoco getting the first closing opportu...

Impact Neither Faucher nor Tinoco are proven commodities in the ninth inning, so if they both struggle, Bender could get a look as the closer later in the year. The right-hander has posted an 8:2 K:BB through 7.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring as he looks to build on a 2024 campaign that saw his record a career-high 15 holds along with a 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 59:18 K:BB through 53 innings.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids arbitration The Marlins and Bender avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bender had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. The right-handed reliever posted a 4.08 ERA and 59:18 K:BB across 53 innings out of the Marlins' bullpen in 2024.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first save Bender issued one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday, striking out two and earning a save against the Blue Jays.

Impact Bender threw just 13 of 25 pitches for strikes but still closed out the 3-1 win without much trouble. It was his first outing of more than one inning pitched since July 26. Bender finishes his 2024 season at 5-2 with a 4.08 ERA, one save, 15 holds and a 59:18 K:BB through 53 frames.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated from IL The Marlins reinstated Bender (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Impact Bender has been on the shelf since mid-August due to a right shoulder impingement, but he's been cleared to return to Miami's bullpen after allowing one run in three innings during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville. The 29-year-old holds a 4.00 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 45 innings in the majors, though a lack of depth in the Marlins' bullpen has allowed him to work in several high-leverage situations.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes first rehab appearance Bender (shoulder) struck out two batters and gave up one earned run on three hits and no walks over one inning in a rehab appearance Saturday with Triple-A Norfolk.

Impact Bender threw 20 pitches in the rehab outing, his first since landing on the injured list Aug. 15 with a right shoulder impingement. He'll likely need to get in another appearance or two in the minors before rejoining the Miami bullpen, likely as a setup option in front of new closer Calvin Faucher.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starts playing catch Bender (shoulder) played catch Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bender was placed on the IL on Aug. 16, and while he'll be eligible to return Tuesday, it appears he'll require more than the minimum 15 days. He has several checkpoints to clear before being activated, possibly including a rehab assignment.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starts playing catch Bender (shoulder) played catch Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bender was placed on the IL on August 16, and while he'll be eligible to return Tuesday, it appears he'll require more than the minimum 15 days off. He has several checkpoints to clear before being activated, possibly including a rehab assignment.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 15-day IL The Marlins placed Bender on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Impact No injury designation was provided, so it's difficult to project when Bender might be ready to return. He will be eligible for activation on Aug. 27.

AUGUST 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Marlins place RHP Anthony Bender on 15-day IL The Miami Marlins placed right-hander Anthony Bender on the 15-day injured list on Thursday without an injury designation.The move is retroa...

AUGUST 16, 2024 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Nabs fourth win Friday Bender (4-2) was credited with the win Friday, giving up one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

Impact The right-hander took over from Edward Cabrera in the top of the fifth with the Marlins ahead 4-2 and wound up being the pitcher of record, despite serving up a double to Jose Iglesias in the sixth ahead of Jeff McNeil's second homer of the night. Bender has been one of the Marlins' most effective relievers over the last couple months, and since the beginning of June he's posted a 1.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 14.2 innings while collecting three wins and three holds in 19 appearances. Should Tanner Scott get dealt ahead of the trade deadline, Bender could find himself in the ninth-inning mix for Miami.

JULY 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs fourth win Friday Bender (4-2) was credited with the win Friday after giving up one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

Impact The right-hander took over for Edward Cabrera in the top of the fifth with the Marlins ahead 4-2 and wound up being the pitcher of record, despite serving up a double to Jose Iglesias in the sixth ahead of Jeff McNeil's second homer of the night. Bender has been one of the Marlins' most effective relievers over the last couple months, and since the beginning of June he's posted a 1.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 14.2 innings while collecting three wins and three holds in 19 appearances. Should Tanner Scott get dealt ahead of the trade deadline, Bender could find himself in the ninth-inning mix for Miami.

JULY 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs first win of season Bender (1-2) picked up the win Sunday against the Phillies, walking two and striking out one in a scoreless 10th inning.

Impact Both free passes the right-hander issued were at least semi-intentional, but Bender was able to get Kody Clemens to pop out with the bases loaded to end the threat. The Marlins then walked it off in the bottom of the frame to give Bender the victory. He's delivered six straight scoreless appearances and the 29-year-old right-hander does have a 20:7 K:BB through 17 innings on the season, but his 5.82 ERA and 1.71 WHIP make him tough to rely on for fantasy purposes.

MAY 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up second hold Bender gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless sixth inning Thursday to collect his second hold of the season in a loss to the Cardinals.

Impact The right-hander has been arguably the Marlins' most reliable reliever so far, posting a 6:1 K:BB through 3.2 innings and getting scored upon in only one of his four appearances. By contrast, closer Tanner Scott has a 5:6 K:BB in 3.0 innings, and Andrew Nardi has an ERA of 21.60 and has given up multiple runs in three of his four appearances. Bender's usage Thursday doesn't suggest he's in the closing mix at the moment, but if Scott and Nardi continue to struggle, that could change by the time Miami -- 0-8 to begin the season -- starts having late leads to protect.

APRIL 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bender's long-awaited return a sign of things to come JUPITER, Fla. -- Three years ago, Marlins right-hander Anthony Bender entered big league camp as an unknown. Now, he could be the X-factor....

FEBRUARY 25, 2024 • MLB.COM

Facing hitters soon Bender (elbow) is expected to progress to live batting practice sessions soon, MLB.com reports.

Impact Bender has been throwing off a mound for two months now and is almost ready to face hitters. The reliever is nearly 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery but is not expected to make it back before the end of the season.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Steps back on mound Bender (elbow) completed a 15-pitch bullpen session earlier this week, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact The side session amounts to Bender's first reported mound work since he underwent Tommy John surgery last August. The Marlins haven't officially ruled Bender out from pitching in 2023, but at this stage of his recovery program, he's most likely at least a month away from starting what would presumably be an extended minor-league rehab assignment.

JULY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing out to 120 feet Bender (elbow) increased his flat-ground throwing Tuesday to 120 feet, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Bender needed Tommy John surgery in late August of last year and probably won't be ready to return to a major-league mound until the beginning of the 2024 season, but all of the reports from the early stages of his recovery have been encouraging.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing again The Marlins announced Monday that Bender (elbow) has resumed playing catch, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Playing catch marks Bender's first reported throwing activity since he underwent Tommy John surgery Aug. 30, 2022. Though he'll likely face a shorter recovery and buildup program from his surgery than a starting pitcher, Bender still isn't expected to be ready to pitch out of the Miami bullpen at any point in 2023.

APRIL 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 60-day IL The Marlins placed Bender (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Bender underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in late September and will miss the entire 2023 season. Garrett Hampson has been added to the 40-man roster in Miami in a corresponding move.

MARCH 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to 60-day IL Bender (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bender is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in the near future, so this is simply a procedural move to open up a 40-man roster spot for Bryan Hoeing to start Saturday's contest versus the Dodgers. Bender is not expected to be available until the 2024 season.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Requires Tommy John surgery Bender (elbow), who was placed on the injured list Sunday, will require Tommy John surgery, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact The 27-year-old's initial diagnosis was a right elbow strain after exiting a game last weekend against Atlanta, and he's apparently dealing with damage to the UCL. Bender will miss the rest of the season and should also be expected to be sidelined for the full 2023 campaign. He recorded six saves and three holds with a 3.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 19.1 innings this year.

AUGUST 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on injured list Bender was placed on the injured list Sunday with a right elbow strain, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact The extent of the injury that forced Bender from the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Atlanta is uncertain, but he will be out at least a couple weeks.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Exits Saturday's game Bender (undisclosed) was removed from the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Atlanta after throwing five pitches, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Bender came in to pitch with the Marlins down four runs in the ninth, though his outing was cut short. It's unclear what caused his exit, but Bender returned from a back injury on Aug. 2.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from injured list Bender (back) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bender had been out since mid-May, but he's ready to after four scoreless, hitless rehab appearances. Prior to his absence, he'd recorded a mediocre 4.50 ERA in 14 innings of work but had recorded six saves. It's unclear if he'll get the chance to unseat current closer Tanner Scott right away.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to 60-day IL Bender (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Bender has already been on the injured list for nearly 60 days, so the transaction won't affect his return timeline. The 27-year-old began a rehab assignment in mid-July, and he could rejoin the Marlins after making a couple more outings in the minors.

JULY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE