By Field Level Media
Sep 19 (Field Level Media) – Miami Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks will undergo surgery following a diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome.
The surgery date is not yet known, the team said Friday.
Thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by the compression of blood vessels or nerves in the area between the shoulder and neck. It causes pain in that part of the body and also can trigger conditions such as numbness in fingers or a weak grip.
Zack Wheeler, the Philadelphia Phillies star, was the most recent pitcher to have the surgery, doing so last August. He returned April 26 and has a record of 13-5 with a 2.99 ERA and 177 strikeouts in 150 1/3 innings this season.
Fairbanks, 32, left three appearances this season with nerve irritation. The most recent occurrence came Monday in an 8-7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Entering with a 7-6 lead, Fairbanks pitched to one batter in the ninth, walking him on six pitches, and departed the game.
The right-hander had just come off the injured list on Sept. 9 due to the same condition.
Fairbanks signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Marlins in the offseason, so this likely ends his brief career in Miami with a 4-5 record and a career-high 6.31 ERA in 46 appearances (one start) with 19 saves in 41 1/3 innings.
He opened his career in 2019 with a brief stint with the Texas Rangers before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he pitched through the 2025 season. He has a career record of 24-29 with a 3.61 ERA in 321 appearances (three starts). He has thrown 306 2/3 career innings and totaled 109 saves and 389 strikeouts.
(–Field Level Media)
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