| Anthony Bender | |
|---|---|
| Miami Marlins – No. 37 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1995-02-03)February 3, 1995 (age 30) Petaluma, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 5, 2021, for the Miami Marlins | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 12–12 |
| Earned run average | 3.04 |
| Strikeouts | 189 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Anthony Wayne Bender (born February 3, 1995) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theMiami Marlins ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball forSanta Rosa Junior College. He was drafted by theKansas City Royals with the 613th pick in the 20th round of the2016 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2021.
Bender was drafted with 613th pick in the 20th round of the2016 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals out ofSanta Rosa Junior College.[1] Bender made his professional debut for the rookie-levelArizona League Royals. He split the 2017 season between theSingle-ALexington Legends andHigh-AWilmington Blue Rocks, recording a cumulative 5–6 record and 3.96 ERA. He spent the entire 2018 season in Wilmington, recording a 3.57 ERA and 6–3 record in 30 appearances.[1] On March 21, 2019, Bender was released by the Royals.[2]
On April 12, 2019, Bender signed with theSioux City Explorers of theAmerican Association of Independent Professional Baseball.[3] After pitching3+2⁄3 scoreless innings for Sioux City, on May 29, theMilwaukee Brewers signed him to a minor league contract.[4] Bender played for the Single-AWisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-ACarolina Mudcats, and the Double-ABiloxi Shuckers, accumulating a 1.49 ERA in 29 appearances. After the minor league season was cancelled in 2020 because of theCOVID-19 pandemic,[5] Bender joined theMilwaukee Milkmen of the American Association for the 2020 season. Bender pitched to a 5.48 ERA with 25 strikeouts with the Milkmen in 2020, and won the American Association championship with the club.[6] On November 2, 2020, Bender elected free agency.[7]
On November 30, 2020, Bender signed a minor league contract with theMiami Marlins organization.[8] On May 4, 2021, Bender was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[9][10] He made his debut the next day, pitching a scoreless inning of relief. In the game, he notched his first MLB strikeout, punching outArizona Diamondbacks outfielderTim Locastro. He did not allow an earned run until his 22nd appearance in the majors.[11] He finished his rookie campaign with a 3–2 record and 2.79 ERA with 71 strikeouts across 60 appearances.
In 2022, Bender pitched in 22 games for Miami, recording a 1–3 record and 3.26 ERA with 17 strikeouts and six saves in19+1⁄3 innings of work. On August 14, 2022, he was placed on the injured list due to a right elbow strain.[12] On August 30, 2022, Bender underwentTommy John surgery, ending his season prematurely. Bender also missed the entire 2023 season as a result of the procedure.[13]
Bender returned from surgery in 2024, making 59 appearances out of the bullpen for the Marlins; in those games, he posted a 5-2 record and 4.08 ERA with 59 strikeouts and one save over 53 innings of work.[14]
Bender made 51 appearances for Miami during the 2025 season, compiling a 3-5 record and 2.16 ERA with 42 strikeouts over 50 innings of work. On August 19, 2025, it was announced that Bender had suffered a season-endingstress reaction in his righttibia.[15]