ANTHONY BENDER NEWS

Tosses another bullpen Bender (back) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Sunday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Bender threw 15 pitches off a mound Thursday and slightly increased his pitch count during Sunday's throwing session. He apparently felt good afterward, as he's expected to throw in a simulated game soon. The right-hander doesn't yet have a timetable to rejoin the Marlins but has made good progress recently.

JUNE 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Throws bullpen session Bender (back) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Bender resumed playing catch last week, but he was able to throw off a mound Thursday. The right-hander exclusively threw fastballs during the bullpen session, but it was a significant step forward in his recovery process. Assuming he continues to ramp up his workload in the coming days, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to game action action at some point next week.

JUNE 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Playing catch again Bender (back) is scheduled to play catch Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact It's the first known throwing activity for Bender since the Marlins placed him on the 15-day injured list May 25. He may not be ready to return to the active roster when first eligible next Monday, but the fact that Bender isn't being shut down bodes well for his chances of avoiding an extended absence. Once he's activated, Bender could re-emerge as a factor in the Marlins' still-unsettled closer picture.

JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on injured list Bender was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to May 23, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bender hasn't pitched since May 18, and he's apparently been dealing with a back injury that has kept him out of action. He'll be sidelined until at least early June, while Cole Sulser, Dylan Floro and Anthony Bass should continue to see the majority of high-leverage work in Bender's absence.

MAY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Collects win Tuesday Bender (1-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 5-1 victory over the Nationals, giving up two hits and striking out one in a scoreless inning of relief.

Impact While the win is nice, it's a little concerning for his long-term fantasy outlook than Bender entered a scoreless tie in the fifth inning. The right-hander has yet to record a save in May after reeling off four in five days at the end of April, and while Dylan Floro has struggled since coming off the injured list, Bender's usage Tuesday suggests he might be moving into a high-leverage role and out of the ninth inning. On the season, he carries a 3.86 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 14 innings while converting six of eight save chances.

MAY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Blows save in loss Bender (0-3) was charged with a blown save and the loss Wednesday against Arizona after giving up two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and zero walks during the ninth inning.

Impact The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth with a 7-6 lead and struck out the first batter he faced, but Daulton Varsho reached on a single and Pavin Smith followed with a two-run home run. Bender came into the contest having converted four straight saves while not allowing a run in his past four appearances, but he got bit by the Diamondbacks. The 27-year-old is 6-for-8 in save opportunities and has a 5.79 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB across 9.1 innings this season, and his run as Miami's primary closer could be near an end with Dylan Floro (shoulder) on a rehab assignment and close to returning from the injured list.

MAY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Another clean save Bender got two outs while allowing one hit to pick up his fifth save of the season Friday against the Mariners.

Impact It didn't seem like there would be a save situation until Shawn Armstrong gave up three runs while recording just one out to start off the top of the ninth inning. Bender has now converted three straight saves without allowing a run after scuffling out of the gates to start the season.

APRIL 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notches fourth save Bender gave up a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings Wednesday to record his fourth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Nationals.

Impact After getting nearly a week off due to hip soreness, Bender appears to be 100 percent as he's pitched on back-to-back days, picking up saves in each appearance. The 27-year-old right-hander topped out at 98.4 mph with his power sinker, and while Dylan Floro (shoulder) is closing in on his return to the Marlins' bullpen, Bender could still have time to build up a little job security in the closer role.

APRIL 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Collects third save Bender worked a perfect ninth inning Tuesday without a walk or strikeout to record his third save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

Impact The right-hander hadn't pitched since last Wednesday due to hip soreness, but Bender seemed healthy in this one as he needed only seven pitches (six strikes) to nail down the save. The 27-year-old still appears to be manager Don Mattingly's top option as closer for now, but with Dylan Floro (shoulder) closing in on his season debut, that could soon change.

APRIL 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Battling hip soreness Bender didn't enter for Saturday's save opportunity due to hip soreness, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact The injury apparently cropped up during his last outing Wednesday against St. Louis, when he took the loss after giving up two runs on a hit with a strikeout and a walk over one inning. Bender is apparently feeling better, but the Marlins will remain cautious with his return. Tanner Scott picked up the save Saturday, as Miami's closing situation remains wide open with Dylan Floro (shoulder) still on the injured list. Bender has struggled early in the campaign and has an 8.31 ERA over 4.1 frames while converting two of three save chances.

APRIL 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Stuck with loss Wednesday Bender (0-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Marlins fell 2-0 to the Cardinals, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two in the ninth inning.

Impact The right-hander entered a 0-0 game in the top of the ninth and promptly struck out Paul Goldschmidt, but after walking Tyler O'Neill, Bender served up the game-winning homer to Nolan Arenado on a fastball that didn't get far enough inside to jam the third baseman. Bender has had a rough start to the season, posting an 8.31 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 4.1 innings, and while he's converted two of his three saves chances, his hold on the closer job for Miami seems very tenuous.

APRIL 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Records second save Bender allowed two hits but threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Phillies.

Impact Bender was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning. He allowed a leadoff single, but then induced a double-play from the next batter he faced. After allowing a second knock, Bender got Bryce Harper to fly out to end the game. Bender has allowed two earned runs across 3.1 frames to begin the season, but he has also also tallied two saves and is the team's clear closer for the time being.

APRIL 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Stuck with loss Tuesday Bender (0-1) took the loss Tuesday as the Marlins were downed 4-3 by the Angels, giving up one run on one walk in one-third of an inning.

Impact It was a tough way to lose a game. With the score tied 3-3 to begin the bottom of the ninth inning, Bender issued a one-out walk to Jack Mayfield, only for pinch runner Tyler Wade to steal second, move over to third on a wild pitch, then come home on a grounder that shortstop Miguel Rojas bobbled slightly. Bender is getting the opportunity to show he can be the Marlins' ninth-inning man while Dylan Floro (shoulder) is on the shelf, but so far he hasn't looked great, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1:1 K:BB through 2.1 innings over three appearances and converting only one of two save chances.

APRIL 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up first save Bender gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Giants.

Impact After blowing his first save chance of the year Friday, Bender was right back on the mound with a lead on the line the next day, and this time he came through. It's reassuring that manager Don Mattingly didn't lose faith in the right-hander after one outing, and if Bender can keep getting the job done through the first couple weeks of the season, he could wind up keeping the closer role even after Dylan Floro (shoulder) comes off the injured list.

APRIL 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Bender's save caps a day of redemption for Miami Marlins' bullpen Anthony Bender was in this spot just a day ago, on the mound for the Miami Marlins with a one-run lead in the ninth inning. It did not go we...

APRIL 10, 2022 • MIAMIHERALD.COM

Blows first save chance Bender struck out one and gave up a solo home run in an inning of work during Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Giants.

Impact The Marlins put together a rally in the top of the ninth inning to take their first lead of the game and give Bender his first save opportunity of the season. Unfortunately, a Thairo Estrada solo shot sent the game to extras, and San Francisco pushed across the winning run in the 10th inning against Anthony Bass. Cole Sulser, another potential closing option for the Marlins, worked a scoreless seventh inning. Manager Don Mattingly seemed willing to give Bender a chance to establish himself prior to the season starting, but as he showed with Bass last year, he isn't afraid to make a quick switch in the ninth either.

APRIL 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

To get first shot at saves Manager Don Mattingly said Thursday that Bender is Miami's "go-to-guy" in the ninth inning to start the season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Dylan Floro is officially on the injured list due to shoulder tendinitis, which has opened the door for Bender to take over the closer's role. However, there is plenty of competition in the Miami bullpen, highlighted by Anthony Bass and Richard Bleier as well as the recently added Cole Sulser. With multiple options to turn to in the ninth inning, Bender will have to perform well if he hopes to maintain save chances while Floro is sidelined.

APRIL 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could serve as interim closer Bender could step in as the Marlins' closer early in the season since Dylan Floro is behind schedule in camp due to arm soreness, Joe Frisaro of ManOnSecondBaseball.com reports.

Impact Bender made his major-league debut in 2021 and posted a 2.79 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 61.1 innings across 60 appearances (one start). The right-hander converted three of five save chances while recording 12 holds during that time. It's possible that Bender will be able to carve out ninth-inning work early in the 2022 campaign.

MARCH 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marlins' Anthony Bender on four-run inning: 'Just didn't have my best stuff.' What happened? Anthony Bender looked over the film from the night before, the outing in which he gave up a career-high four runs that turned a tie game int...

AUGUST 22, 2021 • MIAMIHERALD.COM

Takes second loss Bender (2-2) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in an inning of work, taking the loss in Saturday's 7-4 defeat against the Reds.

Impact Bender entered into a fresh inning charged with protecting a 2-2 ballgame. Protect it he did not, as the Reds brought seven men to the plate and scored four times. Even with this brutal outing, the rookie reliever still sports a tidy 3.18 ERA thanks to a streak of 21 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run to begin his career.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Earns save Saturday Bender recorded the save Saturday against the Cubs after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, fanning two.

Impact Bender had the task of closing things out with a one-run lead after the Marlins restored the lead in the bottom of the eighth, and he got the job done while needing just 13 pitches (seven strikes) to do so. The right-hander has gone 3-for-5 in save chances this season and while he has given up runs in two of his last four appearances, it's also worth noting he only has allowed two runs over his last 10 games.

AUGUST 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up second save Bender earned the save Thursday after holding the Mets to one run (unearned) on one hit and a walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

Impact Bender was called upon to protect a three-run game in the ninth and worked around an error, a walk and pair of infield singles to hold onto the win for Miami. The 26-year-old has put together a solid season thus far with a 2.06 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 39.1 innings and is expected to earn more save opportunities following Yimi Garcia's trade to the Astros.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

The ultimate trade deadline guide to saves speculation: Dillon Tate, Anthony Bender and more RPs to target (UPDATED) This is the ultimate guide to saves speculation ahead of the 2021 trade deadline.

JULY 30, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Scoreless inning as opener Bender hit a batter and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Thursday's 3-2 loss to San Diego. He did not factor in the decision.

Impact Bender was effective in the first inning as the opener ahead of Jordan Holloway. Thursday was Bender's first major-league start, and the scoreless inning lowered his ERA to 2.20 with a 0.92 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB through 32.2 innings overall. The 26-year-old has been an effective reliever, although he's picked up only one save, five holds and two blown saves across 32 appearances.

JULY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Opening Thursday's game Bender will serve as the Marlins' opening pitcher in Thursday's game against the Padres, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact The newly recalled Jordan Holloway is expected to serve as the Marlins' primary bulk reliever behind Bender, who will be making his first career start in the big leagues. The 26-year-old rookie has only one save to his name, but he's arguably been the Marlins' most reliable reliever this season. Through 31 appearances spanning 31.2 innings, Bender has posted a 2.27 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB.

JULY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE