Right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins has been ruled out for the rest of the 2023 Major League Baseball season due to a setback in his rehab and may have problem pitching next season, according to ESPN.

Alcantara was placed on the injured list on September 6 because of a forearm flexor strain. He started for the Marlins' Triple-A team, Jacksonville, on Thursday, striking out four in four shutout innings. Having felt uncomfortable, he returned to the Marlins for a revaluation.

"Very frustrating for me, a guy who likes to compete," Alcantara told reporters on Saturday. "I feel sorry for the fans, my family, my son, my friends, because I'm not going to be out there this year. Just try to be ready for next year, I don't know. Stay positive."

"I was so happy before I went to the minor leagues. Felt great with my bullpens. This is heartbreaking," he added.

The Marlins defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. They are currently 80-75 and third in the National League (NL) East. They need to compete for an NL Wild Card berth with the Chicago Cubs (81-74) and the Cincinnati Reds (79-77) of the NL Central Division.

Alcantara threw in 228⅔ innings with three complete games, both the most in the major league such incredible performances plus his 14-9 record and 2.28 earned run average (ERA) made him the first in the Marlins' history to win a Cy Young Award in 2022.

Alcantara struggled this season with a 7-12 record and an ERA of 4.14 until he was sidelined. His final appearance in the major league was starting against the Washington Nationals on September 3.

"That is one of the things which frustrates me the most, knowing that I won't be out there with my teammates and giving my best," Alcantara said. "Now, I just have to keep supporting them."