Junk didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the White Sox, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
The 30-year-old right-hander was comfortably sitting 94-96 mph with his four-seam fastball while mixing in a curve, changeup, slider and sweeper, but Junk threw just 50 of his 79 pitches for strikes and couldn't last long enough to quality for the win, despite getting plenty of support from the Marlins' offense. He's just keeping a spot in the rotation warm for a younger arm like Braxton Garrett or Robby Snelling, but there's been no suggestion he's getting replaced just yet. Junk lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Reds.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Could win fifth starter job
Rotowire
Junk made his first start of the spring Monday, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks over two-plus innings in a Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.
It was far from a clean outing, but the important thing was Junk's usage, as he got stretched out to 49 pitches (24 strikes) while completing three up-and-downs. Per Christina DeNicola of MLB.com, Junk is still in the mix for the Marlins' fifth starter job, as Braxton Garrett may need a bit more time to fully complete his recovery from December 2024 elbow surgery. If Junk doesn't begin the season in the rotation, he's still expected to fill a long-relief role, as he's out of minor-league options.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Clean inning in spring debut
Rotowire
Junk (ankle) struck out two batters and allowed one hit and no walks over a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Astros in Grapefruit League play.
Junk went down with a Grade 1 right ankle sprain early in camp, but after advancing through his throwing program over the last few weeks, he was finally cleared to make his spring debut Saturday. The 30-year-old right-hander made 16 of his 21 appearances with the Marlins last season as a starter, but the ankle issue may have cost him whatever small chance he had at a spot in Miami's Opening Day rotation. Junk should still be in good shape to break camp with the big club as a long man out of the bullpen.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Spring debut coming Saturday
Rotowire
Junk (ankle) is slated to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against the Astros, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Junk has been behind schedule after suffering a Grade 1 mild right ankle sprain early on in camp. He will throw one inning in Saturday's appearance before building up his workload from there. The right-hander is likely ticketed for a long-relief role with Miami.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Set for bullpen session
Rotowire
Junk (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.
It's another box to check for Junk, who is working his way back from a Grade 1 mild right ankle sprain. He shouldn't be far off from his Grapefruit League debut, barring any setbacks. Junk is in the running for a spot in the Marlins' rotation, but a long-relief role is more likely.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Aims for mound work this week
Rotowire
Junk (ankle) is aiming to throw off the mound by Wednesday or Thursday, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.
Junk suffered a Grade 1 mild right ankle sprain during a drill last week, but he shed his walking boot over the weekend and is nearing a return to the bump. The injury should not prevent Junk from being ready for Opening Day, but it's made his bid for a spot in the Marlins' rotation more difficult.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Sheds walking boot
Rotowire
Junk (ankle) played catch Saturday without a boot, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Junk began wearing a boot as a precaution after suffering a mild right ankle sprain during a drill Tuesday. Now that he's resumed throwing, he could also soon be cleared to appear in Grapefruit League games, though the Marlins have yet to confirm when that will happen.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Wearing boot after rolling ankle
Rotowire
Junk was wearing a boot on his right foot after rolling his ankle Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Initial testing on the ankle was good, and the Marlins are saying the boot is merely precautionary. Junk had been slated for a pitch-design session Wednesday, but he'll be evaluated by a doctor that day instead. Consider him day-to-day for now. The 30-year-old is competing for a spot in the Marlins' rotation but is more likely to fill a long-relief role.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Pummeled in return
Rotowire
Junk (6-3) took the loss Monday against Washington, conceding six runs on eight hits and two walks over 4.1 innings with three strikeouts.
The Miami right-hander looked rusty as he returned from an elbow injury that kept him out since Aug. 27. Junk completely unraveled in the fifth, as he allowed four of the first five batters to reach before being lifted for reliever Seth Martinez. After posting a 2.68 ERA in his first 50.1 frames this season, Junk has struggled since, producing a dreadful 6.64 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB over 42 innings. He is currently slated to make his next start at home against the playoff-bound Tigers this weekend.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Cleared for rehab start
Rotowire
Junk (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.
Junk landed on the 15-day injured list last week due to right ulnar nerve irritation, but it's a good sign that he's already been cleared to pitch in a game. The right-hander is eligible for activation Sept. 8 and has a good shot to return on that date or soon after if all goes well in Tuesday's outing.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Out with ulnar nerve irritation
Rotowire
The Marlins placed Junk on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to right ulnar nerve irritation.
Junk departed his most recent start Saturday against the Blue Jays with discomfort in his pitching arm, and he's subsequently been diagnosed with the ulnar nerve issue. The righty will be eligible for activation Sept. 8, but it's too soon to know whether he has a chance to be ready to go on that date.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Lasts seven innings against Red Sox
Rotowire
Junk didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Boston, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk across seven innings. He struck out six.
Junk had completed exactly five innings in each of his previous five starts, and he tied his season high in innings pitched. The outing also marked Junk's fourth quality start of the campaign. 2025 has been the 29-year-old's first extended look as an MLB starter, and he's posted a 4.04 ERA and a 58:9 K:BB across 82.1 innings on the year. Junk is tentatively scheduled to pitch next weekend against the Blue Jays.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Strikes out five in win
Rotowire
Junk (5-2) earned the win against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts over five innings.
Junk allowed four doubles but just five hard-hit balls overall while generating an impressive 14 whiffs on 86 pitches. The 29-year-old has now surrendered seven earned runs in his past two starts after giving up just two through his first three July outings, though he'll still finish the month with a 2.79 ERA over 29 innings. He'll carry a 3.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 44:5 K:BB across 60.1 frames into a home matchup with the Yankees next weekend.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Knocked around in loss
Rotowire
Junk (4-2) yielded six runs (five earned) on six hits and a walk over five innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against Kansas City.
Junk worked through three shutout innings before his outing went south. He was tagged with three runs in each of the fourth and fifth frames before exiting the contest. He had given up three runs (two earned) over 19 innings in his previous three appearances. Junk threw 47 of 69 pitches for strikes but generated only three whiffs. He now owns a 3.25 ERA with a 39:5 K:BB through 55.1 innings. Junk is lined up to start in Milwaukee next weekend.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Awarded another start
Rotowire
Junk is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Giants in San Francisco, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Junk will make his second straight start and his third consecutive turn through the rotation overall, after he previously worked in bulk relief in a July 14 victory over Washington. The right-hander has been credited with the win in both of his last two appearances while permitting just one earned run on seven hits and no walks while striking out nine over 10.2 innings. Junk doesn't have a long track record of success at the big-league level, but he should be able to hold down a rotation spot for Miami until Max Meyer (hip) or Ryan Weathers (lat) is ready to return from the injured list.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Gets five-inning save
Rotowire
Junk allowed a run on six hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings to earn the save in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Angels.
Junk was called up from Triple-A Jacksonville earlier in the day to provide reinforcements in the bullpen. He delivered with a lengthy outing after Cal Quantrill was curiously pulled after just 3.1 innings (46 pitches). Junk threw 48 of his 68 pitches for strikes and was credited with a five-inning save in his season debut at the major-league level. He has worked as a starter with Jacksonville this season, but barring a severe run of injuries to Miami's starters, Junk doesn't have a clear path to a starting role in the majors any time soon. Between the Brewers and Athletics last season, he made six relief appearances, posting a 14.62 ERA over eight innings.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Selected to MLB roster
Rotowire
The Marlins selected Junk's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.
Junk has spent the entire season in the minors, turning in a 2.78 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 45.1 innings. Riding plenty of momentum, he'll now get another chance to prove himself in the big leagues, likely as a long-relief option. Lake Bachar was optioned to Jacksonville to make room on the active roster, and Rob Brantly (lat) was moved to the 60-day IL to create a 40-man spot.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Exits Thursday's start early
Rotowire
Junk (back) gave up one run on one hit and two walks over 3.2 innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros before leaving the game accompanied by a trainer. He struck out three.
The 29-year-old right-hander appears to be the next man up in the Marlins' rotation with Ryan Weathers (forearm) set to begin the season on the IL, and Junk got stretched out to 55 pitches (35 strikes) as he prepares for the role. His body may not have been ready for that increased workload, as per Chuck King of MLB.com, back spams forced him from the contest. He doesn't think the issue will linger, however. "Just kind of one of those weird over-extension things, and doing some treatment modalities and stuff, it already feels better," he said after the game. Miami will be Junk's fourth team in five years since he made his big-league debut in 2021, and his last name accurately reflects the lack of fantasy appeal in his arsenal -- he's got a 6.75 ERA and 34:11 K:BB over 40 career MLB innings.
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Marlins' Janson Junk: Joins club on minor-league pact
Rotowire
Junk signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Monday.
Junk's deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, where he'll get the chance to compete for a spot in Miami's Opening Day bullpen. The 29-year-old has seen MLB action in each of the last four campaigns, but he hasn't covered more than 17 innings in any of those seasons while bouncing around across five different organizations. Over his 15 career MLB appearances (seven starts) spanning 40 innings, Junk owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.78 WHIP.
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Athletics' Janson Junk: Claimed by Oakland
Rotowire
The Athletics claimed Junk off waivers from the Astros on Saturday.
Junk never appeared in a game for the Astros, and he was designated for assignment Thursday after posting a 6.14 ERA and 1.34 WHIP through 14.2 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land. He'll now presumably return to the majors as he switches organizations, though Junk will likely operate as a low-leverage arm out of the Oakland bullpen. The Athletics moved Miguel Andujar (abdomen) to the 60-day IL to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Junk.
