Getting to Know: Justin Marks
Lefty Justin Marks entered the Rays organization last year as a 28-year-old with one MLB appearance on his resume. By the end of 2016, he had thrown a Triple-A no-hitter, and spent the month of September in the majors, working four games and nine innings for Tampa Bay.
The way the Rays treated him last year, and the opportunities he was provided are one reason he re-signed with Tampa Bay in the off-season. Last year Marks was primarily a starter in Triple-A Durham, and relieved with the Rays.
This spring, he will get a look as a lefty reliever. Beyond Xavier Cedeno and Blake Snell, the Rays have just one pitcher on the 40-man roster who’s a southpaw, and that’s Jose Alvarado, who has not pitched in Double-A yet. Among non-roster pitchers Dana Eveland and Ryan Yarbrough (previewed earlier in the week) are the lefties in camp with Marks.
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We discussed what Marks gained from last year’s experience, and his decision to come back to this organization:
The Marks family now has three boys, ages 6, 2 and a few months. Beyond the off-season addition to the family, Marks is hoping for more future opportunities with the Rays.
Last year, Marks allowed a solo homer over nine innings in September, after compiling a 3.86 ERA over 140 innings with Durham.
