Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Friday that Junk will be the team's fifth starter, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Junk has officially won the fifth starting spot, beating out Braxton Garrett, who was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday. Junk, now 30 years old, had his first prolonged big-league stint last season, starting in 16 of his 21 appearances with Miami and posting a 4.17 ERA across 110.0 innings. His first regular-season start is scheduled to come against the White Sox.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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 too much time for him to make a serious run 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.

Junk (ankle) is slated to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against the Astros, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Junk (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Junk (ankle) is aiming to throw off the mound by Wednesday or Thursday, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Junk (ankle) played catch Saturday without a boot, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Junk has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 mild right ankle sprain, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Junk suffered the injury during a drill Tuesday. It's unclear when the righty might be ready to pitch in games, but he said Thursday that he's "not concerned that this is gonna be a multi-week thing." While the injury is minor, it will not help Junk's bid for a spot in the Marlins' rotation.

Junk was wearing a boot on his right foot after rolling his ankle Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Junk took a no-decision in Friday's extra-innings win at Texas, yielding one run on three hits and no walks over seven innings with five strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The Miami right-hander tossed 91 total pitches, generating nine whiffs, to notch his second straight quality start and sixth of the season. The lone blemish on Junk's line came in the second with a run scored an infield single by Josh Jung. Across 105.1 total frames, the 29-year-old has pitched to a 4.27 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 73:13 K:BB while conceding only eight homers. Junk is currently slated to next take the mound in the Marlins' upcoming road series against Philadelphia next week.