Marlins reliever Pete Fairbanks makes third career start so he can join wife for birth of their child

Miami Marlins right-handed closer Pete Fairbanks made his third career start in Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees so he could leave early to be with his wife, who is scheduled to be induced into labor on Monday, according to Marlins reporter Isaac Azout.

Fairbanks is reportedly expected to go on the paternity list on Monday.

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Fairbanks threw 27 pitches in his lone inning as the opener, allowing three hits, including a three-run home run by Yankees first baseman Ben Rice that gave New York a 3-1 lead. He exited the game with a 6.75 ERA and was relieved by left-hander Andrew Nardi. After Nardi pitched an inning, one of the Marlins’ regular starters, Chris Paddack, entered the game.

Before Sunday, Fairbanks’ last start came on Sept. 21, 2020, against the New York Mets, while pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays. In that outing, he pitched 1 ⅔ innings. Fairbanks spent seven seasons with the Rays after beginning his MLB career with the Texas Rangers. Fairbanks has made 278 big-league appearances, going 20-24 with 92 saves and a 3.15 ERA.

Fairbanks was selected by the Rangers in the ninth round with the 258th selection of the 2015 MLB Draft. He played college baseball at the University of Missouri and also spent summers with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League prior to being drafted.