MIAMI – The Marlins scratched first baseman Christopher Morel from Friday night’s Opening Day lineup with a left oblique strain, and he will undergo further evaluation.
There was no initial word on a possible timeline for his return.
Morel is the latest Marlin to go down with an injury, joining outfielders Kyle Stowers (Grade 1 right hamstring strain) and Esteury Ruiz (high-grade left oblique strain) as well as infielder Maximo Acosta (Grade 1 left oblique strain). That trio began the season on the 10-day injured list.
The 26-year-old Morel, whom Miami inked to a one-year deal as its lone Major League position player signing this offseason, was expected to get the majority of the first-base reps. He had never played the position in his professional career until this spring.
Connor Norby, originally serving as the designated hitter, replaced Morel at first base and moved from sixth to Morel’s fifth spot in the lineup. Like Morel, Norby had never appeared at first base until this spring. Rookie Owen Caissie (Marlins' No. 3 prospect, No. 42 overall) replaced Norby as the DH and batted eighth.