The Miami Marlins' rotation has been hit with yet another setback as right-hander Eury Perez is set to undergo testing and imaging for elbow soreness. Perez, who was pulled from a Spring Training start due to discomfort caused by a broken fingernail earlier this week, is expected to meet with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Texas as part of the diagnostic process.

The Marlins have already been plagued by rotation injuries this offseason, with Sandy Alcantara undergoing Tommy John surgery and set to miss the entire 2024 season. Additionally, both Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera have been dealing with shoulder issues that could land them on the injured list when the season begins.

The severity of Perez's elbow issue remains uncertain, but concerns are heightened due to the potential for a lengthy absence. Elbow injuries often result in lengthy rehabilitations or even surgical procedures, as seen with Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Even in the best case scenario, the time spent assessing Perez's injury is expected to impede his progress in building up his pitch count for the regular season.

With just two weeks until Opening Day and Perez likely to be sidelined for at least a few more days, it is unlikely that he will avoid a stint on the injured list. This leaves the Marlins with limited options for their starting rotation, with only Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk currently expected to be ready for Opening Day.

The injuries have created opportunities for pitchers like Trevor Rogers and Ryan Weathers to step up, but the fifth spot in the rotation remains vacant. Bryan Hoeing, already on the 40-man roster, is one option, and the Marlins have other non-roster options available, including Yonny Chirinos, Vladimir Gutierrez, and Devin Smeltzer.

The loss of Perez is a significant blow for the Marlins, as the 20-year-old phenom had shown immense potential. In his debut last year, Perez displayed front-of-the-rotation capabilities with a remarkable 1.34 ERA and solid 3.02 FIP in his first nine starts. His impressive strikeout rate of 29.2% further solidified his status as a key piece in the Marlins' plans for the 2024 season and beyond.

The injuries to the rotation come at a crucial time for the Marlins, who are aiming to build on their surprising postseason appearance in 2023. The team's starters were among the best in the league last year, ranking top ten in ERA, FIP, and fWAR, while also recording the fourth-most strikeouts in baseball. With the rotation hampered by injuries, the Marlins will heavily rely on strong performances from their lineup, including players like Luis Arraez, Josh Bell, Jake Burger, and Jazz Chisholm Jr., to maintain their postseason aspirations in 2024.