Robby Snelling to Undergo Tommy John Surgery, Will Miss 2026 and 2027 Seasons

The Miami Marlins announced that left-hander Robby Snelling will undergo Tommy John surgery and will be placed on the 60-day injured list. The procedure will keep Snelling out for the remainder of the 2026 season and likely the first half of the 2027 season. Snelling made just one start in the majors before being diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament.

Snelling was called up to the majors earlier this month and made his debut on May 19. The 24-year-old struggled with discomfort after his first start and was subsequently diagnosed with a ligament sprain. The injury is a major setback for a pitcher who was rising quickly through the minors and had been ranked among the top pitching prospects in baseball. Snelling was ranked as the Marlins' No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline entering the season.

Tommy John surgery typically requires 14 months or more of recovery time. Snelling will miss the rest of the 2026 season and is projected to return around the 2027 All-Star break. This timeline will consume the first two years of his seven-year club control window, which begins in 2026. That window was a key asset for the Marlins in case they considered trading Snelling down the line.

For Snelling, the timing of the injury is somewhat beneficial. Because the surgery occurred after his promotion to the majors, he will receive major league pay and accrue service time during his recovery. If the injury had occurred in the minors, he would have lost both.

The injury creates a major hole in the Marlins' rotation plans. They had built a deep pitching staff in the spring, trading away prospects like Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers to add offensive depth. That surplus is now gone. Janson Junk started for the Marlins yesterday, while Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez and Max Meyer are set for the next three games. By Sunday, the team will need a plan to fill the fifth rotation spot.

Options are limited. Braxton Garrett was called up after Snelling's injury but made two ineffective starts and was optioned back. Thomas White was placed on the minor league IL Tuesday. Tyler Phillips has pitched multiple innings in relief and could be part of a solution. Dax Fulton, Ryan Gusto and Bradley Blalock are on optional assignment but all have ERAs above 4.40 in Triple-A this year.

The Marlins have until Sunday to decide on a course of action. The team could go with a bullpen game or turn to a spot starter. The rotation remains in flux as the season continues.