Max Meyer gets cortisone shot as Marlins map next step in return plan

Miami’s Max Meyer, the Marlins’ All-Star right-hander, received a cortisone shot in the side or rib area, according to manager Clayton McCullough. The move follows time away from the mound as the organization continues to manage the health issues that have limited Meyer’s availability.

Meyer has been sidelined since July 19 with a neck strain. MLB’s team update says he was initially placed on a no-throw status for two weeks, a common early step when pitching-related soreness needs time to settle before any ramp-up can begin.

After that initial rest period, Meyer went for a follow-up examination this week. The purpose, per the team, is to determine the next phase of his throwing progression. At this stage, the club is keeping details open-ended, suggesting that how his side/rib area responds will help determine the timeline for return activities.

The cortisone shot indicates the Marlins are treating the current discomfort as something that may respond to targeted anti-inflammatory therapy. In pitching, that usually means the staff will focus on careful reintroduction to throwing loads, with incremental increases and monitoring for any flare-ups in both the targeted area and the surrounding mechanics.

For Miami, Meyer’s situation carries more weight than it might for a team with deeper pitching depth. When a starting-caliber arm is paused, the burden tends to shift to the rest of the rotation and to the bullpen for longer relief outings and more multi-inning stretches, particularly late in the summer when games come quickly and planning matters.

What to watch next is not a date on the calendar, but the progression itself. After a follow-up exam, teams typically outline a step-by-step throwing plan, often beginning with short toss and moving toward bullpen sessions before any simulated game work. Any reported change in status will clarify whether the cortisone shot accelerates the path back or simply steadies the process.

Until the Marlins complete the evaluation and reintroduce throwing in stages, Meyer’s availability remains uncertain. The club’s stated intent is clear: proceed carefully, use the follow-up results to set the next ramp-up parameters, and avoid adding stress before the underlying issue is ready for a full workload.