Pete Fairbanks Start: Marlins Closer Throws 27 Pitches Before Paternity Leave

Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks made a rare start against the New York Yankees, throwing 27 pitches in the first inning before being placed on paternity leave.

NEW YORK -- Pete Fairbanks threw 27 pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon, allowing a three-run home run to Ben Rice that established a 3-1 lead for the home team. This appearance marked a tactical shift for the 32-year-old right-hander, who was utilized as an opener to accommodate his travel schedule. Following the conclusion of the opening frame, the Miami Marlins officially transitioned to left-hander Andrew Nardi for the bottom of the second inning. The club confirmed that Fairbanks would be placed on the paternity list immediately following his exit from the mound, as his wife is scheduled for induced labor on Monday morning.

The decision to implement a Pete Fairbanks start came as a late adjustment to the Miami rotation, which originally listed Chris Paddack as the probable pitcher for the series finale. This roster maneuver was finalized near the scheduled 1:35 p.m. first pitch, though the actual commencement of play was stalled by a 3-hour, 35-minute rain delay at Yankee Stadium. Before this outing, the veteran reliever had not seen game action since the previous Tuesday. By utilizing him in the first slot, the Marlins ensured he fulfilled his workload requirements before departing for the birth of his child.

Statistically, this outing ended a significant drought for Fairbanks in terms of starting assignments. The last time the righty occupied the starter role was Sept. 21, 2020, while he was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays facing the New York Mets. During that previous encounter nearly four years ago, he logged 1⅔ innings of work. Sunday’s single-inning stint was a calculated move to maximize the active roster before the pitcher's mandatory absence. The three runs surrendered to Rice represented the entirety of the damage against the temporary starter during his brief time on the rubber.

Logistically, the Marlins front office navigated a complex afternoon involving both weather and family leave protocols. The 215-minute wait for the clouds to clear did not alter the plan to have Fairbanks face the top of the Yankees' order. Once the game began, the focus shifted to managing the bullpen behind Nardi, who took over the pitching duties in the second. The organization prioritized getting Fairbanks back to Florida, necessitating the early usage of their primary late-inning weapon. This strategy allowed the team to burn his available innings early in the day rather than risking a situation where he might not pitch at all before his flight.

Ben Rice’s home run served as the definitive blow during the 27-pitch sequence, clearing the fences after Fairbanks had navigated the initial batters of the New York lineup. Despite the scoreline, the Marlins achieved their objective of getting the pitcher through his scheduled work before he officially stepped away from the 26-man roster. The transition to the paternity list will likely result in a corresponding roster move to bolster the bullpen depth for the upcoming series. Miami’s reliance on the opener strategy provided a unique solution to a timing conflict that otherwise would have left the closer unavailable for several days without any recent game activity. The right-hander now heads home with his season statistics updated to include this rare starting appearance in the Bronx.