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For the first two months of the season, it looked like Javier Vazquez might have trouble keeping his spot in the Marlins’ starting rotation.
On May 15, Vazquez’s ERA reached a season-worst 7.55.
But since June 16, no Marlins starter has been more dependable than Vazquez, who has gone 4-3 with a 2.26 ERA, 41 strikeouts and 10 walks.
But despite his impressive turnaround, it’s likely this season will be the 35-year old right-hander’s last.
“I know what I want to do already. I’ve talked to my family about that and basically this could be my last year,” Vazquez said Tuesday, a night after giving up just one earned run against the Mets over seven innings.
“This could be it for me. The hunger is still there. But I think God puts my priorities in order. Baseball is probably third right now.”
Vazquez, who has three children ages 8, 6, and 3, signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Marlins before this season. He has 159 victories — currently ranking 10th among active pitchers — 158 losses and a career 4.28 ERA. He’s the active major-league leader in strikeouts (2,462) and ranks third with 2,769 innings pitched.
“He and [ Josh Johnson] are probably the two hardest-working starters we have when it comes to the weight room,’’ catcher John Buck said.
“His big difference this year has been his fastball. When he was struggling, he was throwing 88 to 89. [Monday] his last strikeout hit the gun at 94. He’s still got good stuff in the tank. But unless his son asks him to play another year, he probably will just go home to be with his family.”
On May 15, Vazquez’s ERA reached a season-worst 7.55.
But since June 16, no Marlins starter has been more dependable than Vazquez, who has gone 4-3 with a 2.26 ERA, 41 strikeouts and 10 walks.
But despite his impressive turnaround, it’s likely this season will be the 35-year old right-hander’s last.
“I know what I want to do already. I’ve talked to my family about that and basically this could be my last year,” Vazquez said Tuesday, a night after giving up just one earned run against the Mets over seven innings.
“This could be it for me. The hunger is still there. But I think God puts my priorities in order. Baseball is probably third right now.”
Vazquez, who has three children ages 8, 6, and 3, signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Marlins before this season. He has 159 victories — currently ranking 10th among active pitchers — 158 losses and a career 4.28 ERA. He’s the active major-league leader in strikeouts (2,462) and ranks third with 2,769 innings pitched.
“He and [ Josh Johnson] are probably the two hardest-working starters we have when it comes to the weight room,’’ catcher John Buck said.
“His big difference this year has been his fastball. When he was struggling, he was throwing 88 to 89. [Monday] his last strikeout hit the gun at 94. He’s still got good stuff in the tank. But unless his son asks him to play another year, he probably will just go home to be with his family.”
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