Marlins Pitcher Starts Game to Attend Child's Birth

Closer Pete Fairbanks given rare start to make it home for wife's scheduled labor induction.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:39am

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The Miami Marlins made a rare move to start relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks in a game so he could leave early and be present for the birth of his child. Fairbanks' wife was scheduled to have labor induced on Monday morning, so the team adjusted his pitching schedule to allow him to get home in time.

Why it matters

It's uncommon for teams to adjust their pitching rotations to accommodate personal family events, but the Marlins recognized the importance of Fairbanks being there for the birth of his child. This gesture shows the team's commitment to supporting their players' lives outside of baseball.

The details

Fairbanks, the Marlins' regular closer, was given the start in Monday's game instead of his usual relief role. This allowed him to leave the game early and travel back home to Indiana, where his wife was scheduled to have their child induced that same morning.

  • Fairbanks' wife was set to have labor induced on Monday morning.

The players

Pete Fairbanks

A relief pitcher for the Miami Marlins who was given a rare start to allow him to attend the birth of his child.

Miami Marlins

The professional baseball team that adjusted Fairbanks' pitching schedule to accommodate his personal family event.

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The takeaway

The Marlins' decision to prioritize Fairbanks' family commitments over their usual pitching rotation demonstrates the team's understanding of the importance of work-life balance for their players. This gesture is likely to be appreciated by Fairbanks and could help foster a positive team culture.