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Brian Navarreto Brian Navarreto Headed to minor-league camp
Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 3:39 PM
The Marlins reassigned Navarreto to minor-league camp Wednesday.
Analysis: Navarreto received 15 plate appearances over eight games with the Marlins in 2025, but he was never expected to have much of a shot at breaking camp with the big club so long as the team's top two backstops, Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks, were both available heading into Opening Day. The 31-year-old will presumably open the campaign at Triple-A Jacksonville. |
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Daniel Johnson Daniel Johnson Sent to minors camp
Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 3:30 PM
The Marlins reassigned Johnson to minor-league camp Wednesday.
Analysis: Johnson inked a minor-league pact that included an invitation to spring training over the winter. The 30-year-old appeared in 31 regular-season games for the Orioles and Giants last season and hit .189 with a .548 OPS across 57 plate appearances. |
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Owen Caissie Owen Caissie Swipes bag Tuesday
Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 12:34 PM
Caissie went 0-for-1 with two walks, a run scored and a stolen base in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.
Analysis: Fresh off an impressive WBC stint with Team Canada in which he batted .412 (7-for-17) with three doubles and a homer, Caissie didn't get much of a chance to show off his power, but he did swipe his first bag of the spring. The 23-year-old went 11-for-13 on steal attempts at Triple-A Iowa in 2024, but that's not likely to be a big element of his game in the majors. Acquired from the Cubs this offseason in the Edward Cabrera trade, Caissie remains the favorite to open the season as the Marlins' starting right fielder after slashing .285/.384/.546 with 22 homers in 99 contests for Iowa last season. |
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Sandy Alcantara Sandy Alcantara On track for Opening Day
Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 12:22 PM
Alcantara allowed two runs on three hits and one walk over four innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out five.
Analysis: The veteran righty built up to 70 pitches (46 strikes) as he continues to get ready for an Opening Day assignment March 27 against the Rockies. Alcantara topped out at 97.2 miles per hour with his four-seamer on a first-inning strikeout of Jorge Polanco and was comfortably maintaining 96 mph in his final inning of the day, further suggesting he's not far away from being in midseason form -- he averaged 97.7 mph with the pitch in 2025. Through eight spring innings, Alcantara has a 10:2 K:BB and 0.88 WHIP, but an unlucky 5.63 ERA. |
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Christopher Morel Christopher Morel Set to be primary first baseman
Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 12:13 PM
Morel is expected to begin the season as the Marlins' starting first baseman, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: This was always the plan after the 26-year-old career outfielder was signed to a one-year, $2 million deal in December, but Morel needed to show he could handle the position defensively in camp first. His glovework has been acceptable, but how he performs with his bat looms as the bigger issue. Morel is batting just .135 (5-for-37) this spring with zero homers and a 3:13 BB:K, after he managed a .204/.288/.363 line over the last two seasons between the Cubs and Rays with a 29.3 percent strikeout rate. Morel is capable of punishing a mistake -- he clubbed 32 homers in 257 games during those two seasons -- but if he struggles overall, it could open the door later in the year for someone like Griffin Conine to take on a larger role at first base. |
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Otto Lopez Otto Lopez Pops first spring homer
Tue, Mar 17, 2026, 12:35 PM
Lopez went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.
Analysis: The 27-year-old shortstop took Lazaro Estrada deep with two outs in the first inning, giving Lopez his first homer of the spring. After playing for Team Canada in the WBC, Lopez has just 15 Grapefruit League plate appearances, but he's collected six hits (.400 batting average) in that time with only one strikeout. Lopez is looking to build on a solid 2025 campaign in which he delivered 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 143 games. |
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Janson Junk Janson Junk Could win fifth starter job
Tue, Mar 17, 2026, 12:29 PM
Junk made his first start of the spring Monday, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks over two-plus innings in a Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.
Analysis: It was far from a clean outing, but the important thing was Junk's usage, as he got stretched out to 49 pitches (24 strikes) while completing three up-and-downs. Per Christina DeNicola of MLB.com, Junk is still in the mix for the Marlins' fifth starter job, as Braxton Garrett may need a bit more time to fully complete his recovery from December 2024 elbow surgery. If Junk doesn't begin the season in the rotation, he's still expected to fill a long-relief role, as he's out of minor-league options. |
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Braxton Garrett Braxton Garrett Not guaranteed rotation spot
Tue, Mar 17, 2026, 12:25 PM
Garrett may not begin the season in the Marlins' rotation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 28-year-old southpaw didn't pitch at all in 2025 while recovering from elbow surgery, and the Marlins may decide to be cautious with the final stages of his recovery, either by optioning him to Triple-A Jacksonville, or by placing him on the IL and giving him a rehab assignment to begin the season. Garrett's 6.75 ERA and 3:3 K:BB through four spring innings also don't make a strong case that he's ready to handle a regular turn in the big-league rotation. Janson Junk would likely fill the fifth starter role until Miami deems Garrett ready to make his return. |
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Liam Hicks Liam Hicks Role set to begin season
Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 11:54 AM
Hicks went 0-for-3 in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
Analysis: While it wasn't a noteworthy performance, Hicks saw his only real competition for a spot on the 26-man roster eliminated when top catching prospect Joe Mack was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday. Hicks is expected to split his time between catcher, first base and DH once again in 2026 while primarily facing right-handed pitching, a split in which he slashed .256/.349/.367 last year with six homers in 324 plate appearances. |
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Eury Perez Eury Perez Fires four no-hit innings Sunday
Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 11:50 AM
Perez walked one and struck out five over four scoreless, no-hit innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.
Analysis: The 22-year-old right-hander's strikeout victims included Jose Altuve and prospect Zach Cole (twice) as Perez built up to 53 pitches, 30 of which went for strikes. Through 9.2 spring innings, he's posted a 15:6 K:BB, and Perez could be poised for a breakout campaign after he tossed a career-high 118 innings across three levels in 2025, delivering a 4.25 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 105:32 K:BB in 95.1 frames for the Marlins across 20 starts. |
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Bradley Blalock Bradley Blalock Optioned to Jacksonville
Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 11:05 AM
The Marlins optioned Blalock to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Blalock was acquired from the Rockies in January after he was DFA'd by Colorado. The 25-year-old right-hander has appeared in 21 career regular-season games at the MLB level, making 18 starts, but has turned in an 8.16 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 47:43 K:BB across 89.1 innings. |
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Garrett Acton Garrett Acton Sent to Triple-A
Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 10:59 AM
The Marlins optioned Acton to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Acton was claimed off waivers from the Rockies last month and will begin the 2026 season in Triple-A after he appeared in just one major-league game out of the bullpen for the Rays last season. Acton produced a 3.68 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 71:27 K:BB across 58.2 innings for Triple-A Durham during the 2025 campaign. |
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Maximo Acosta Maximo Acosta Will miss time with oblique strain
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 11:59 AM
The Marlins announced Sunday that Acosta has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain and is expected to be out for 3-4 weeks, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Acosta already looked to be facing an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster, and the injury he suffered last week will bring an end to any chance he had. Once he heals up and resumes full baseball activities, the 23-year-old infielder will report to a minor-league affiliate for a rehab assignment. Acosta has two minor-league options remaining, so he could end up sticking around at Triple-A Jacksonville once he completes the rehab assignment and gets activated from the injured list. |
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Graham Pauley Graham Pauley Nearing full clearance
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 11:23 AM
Pauley (forearm), who is batting sixth as the designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, is expected to play defense in spring games next weekend, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 25-year-old recently progressed to playing defense in back field games but still needs a bit more time before doing so in Grapefruit League action. Pauley has been limited to serving as a designated hitter while working his way back from forearm tightness. The injury hasn't notably affected his production at the plate this spring, as he has a .316/.409/.474 slash line with a double, a triple and a steal in seven games. |
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Pete Fairbanks Pete Fairbanks Having sharp spring
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:39 AM
Fairbanks struck out one in a perfect inning Saturday during a split-squad game against the Cardinals.
Analysis: The right-hander has yet to allow a run over four innings this spring with a 6:1 K:BB. Signed to a one-year, $13 million contract in December, Fairbanks is set to be the Marlins' unquestioned closer this season after averaging 25 saves over the last three years for the Rays with a 2.98 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in 151 innings. |
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Kyle Stowers Kyle Stowers Looks healthy in return
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:36 AM
Stowers went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's split-squad game against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Getting the start in left field and hitting leadoff in his return to game action, Stowers didn't appear to be slowed down by the hamstring issue that cropped up in late February. The 28-year-old went first to third in the third inning on a Xavier Edwards single after drawing his free pass with two outs, before coming home on a Connor Norby knock. Stowers should still have enough to time to get ready for Opening Day, as he looks to build on a breakout 2025 campaign that saw him slash .288/.368/.544 with 25 homers in 117 games. |
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Zach Brzykcy Zach Brzykcy Loses out in roster battle
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:08 AM
The Marlins reassigned Brzykcy to minor-league camp Sunday.
Analysis: A non-roster invitee for spring training after the Marlins claimed him off waivers from the Nationals in the offseason and later outrighted him, Brzykcy made a strong impression in the Grapefruit League, tossing five scoreless innings while striking out five and allowing four hits and no walks. The right-hander has been less than stellar over parts of two seasons in the majors with Washington, however, with elevated home-run and walk rates. If he can carry over his performance from the spring and find success early on at Triple-A, Brzykcy may not have to wait long for a promotion to Miami. |
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Joe Mack Joe Mack Optioned to Triple-A
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:06 AM
The Marlins optioned Mack to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.
Analysis: The 23-year-old is one of Miami's top prospects, but he struggled to a .472 OPS across nine spring games and will open the campaign at Triple-A. Mack spent most of 2025 with Jacksonville and totaled 18 home runs and seven steals with a .786 OPS in 98 contests. |
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Ryan Gusto Ryan Gusto Out of running for roster spot
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:02 AM
The Marlins optioned Gusto to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.
Analysis: After failing to capture a starting or long-relief role with the Marlins, Gusto appears set to begin the season in the rotation at Jacksonville. The right-hander came over from Houston in a deadline deal last July and proceeded to go 0-3 with a 9.77 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 15.2 innings in his three starts with Miami. |
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Connor Norby Connor Norby Could start season at third base
Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 11:10 AM
Norby appears to be the likely Opening Day starter at third base for the Marlins, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 25-year-old came into camp in a battle with Graham Pauley for the job at the hot corner, but Pauley had his camp derailed by a forearm strain, and he has yet to be cleared to play defense in a Grapefruit League game. With time running short before the regular season begins, Norby is in the driver's seat for the spot. His leash could be very short if he isn't able to solve his contact issues, however. Norby has a career 29.0 percent strikeout rate in the majors since making his debut with the Orioles in 2024, and so far this spring he's got an ugly 0:11 BB:K in 29 plate appearances while batting .276 (8-for-29). |
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