JUPITER, Fla. -- Opening Day on March 27 is drawing closer for the Marlins.
Manager Clayton McCullough promised that decisions on the 26-player roster would come down to the very end. Here’s an updated look at where things might stand:
Catcher (2): Agustín Ramírez, Liam Hicks
Incumbents Ramírez and Hicks have spent time away from big league camp competing in the World Baseball Classic, giving Joe Mack (MLB Pipeline’s No. 62 overall prospect) an extended look. Upon his return, the right-handed-hitting Ramírez will be given a chance to show he has improved behind the dish before Miami considers moving on. The left-handed-hitting Hicks would once again serve as the backup.
First baseman (1): Christopher Morel
Miami’s lone Major League position-player signing has looked comfortable at first base, a position he had never appeared at before in his professional career. Morel has gotten the vast majority of looks there this spring.
Second baseman (1): Xavier Edwards
Edwards, a 2025 NL Gold Glove Award finalist, will be expected to start nearly every game.
Shortstop (1): Otto Lopez
Lopez, who became one of the game’s top defensive shortstops, is in the same boat as Edwards. Like Ramírez and Hicks, Lopez has been participating in the World Baseball Classic.
Third baseman (1): Connor Norby
Injury has impacted what was expected to be one of camp’s biggest competitions. Although imaging came back clean on Graham Pauley’s right elbow, he remains in a no-throw status and has been relegated to serving as designated hitter in Grapefruit League games. Norby will need to continue improving on defense and showing better plate discipline to earn the club’s confidence.
Outfielders (3): Kyle Stowers, Jakob Marsee, Owen Caissie
Like its middle-infield tandem, Miami will run out Stowers and Marsee nearly every game. Stowers has been slowed by a right hamstring strain, but the first-time All-Star and NL Gold Glove Award finalist has continued to get live at-bats. Marsee (Italy) and Caissie (Canada), meanwhile, have been contributing at the World Baseball Classic. Right field is the spot up for grabs. Newcomer Caissie, the centerpiece of the Edward Cabrera trade, doesn’t have much left to prove at Triple-A after making his MLB debut in August 2025.
Designated hitter (1): Griffin Conine
Miami will use the DH to get starters off their feet and/or to maximize the lineup depending on the opposing starting pitcher’s handiness. Prior to undergoing what was supposed to be season-ending left shoulder surgery, Conine posted a .790 OPS in 20 games in 2025. The left-handed-hitting corner outfielder added to his defensive versatility by getting first-base reps this spring.
Bench/Utility (3): Javier Sanoja, Graham Pauley, Heriberto Hernández
Sanoja is the 2025 NL Gold Glove Award-winning utility player who appeared at every position except right field and catcher. For now, we’ll assume Pauley is healthy enough to make the roster. If not, infielder Maximo Acosta could take his spot. The final bench spot will come down to Hernández and Esteury Ruiz. Like Marsee, corner outfielder Hernández received down-ballot NL Rookie of the Year votes after posting a .785 OPS in 87 games. Ruiz, whom the Marlins acquired from the Dodgers, can play all three outfield positions and provides game-changing speed on the bases. But he has one Minor League option remaining and has yet to find success at the plate at the MLB level. What do the Marlins value more in this final spot?
Starting pitchers (5): Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Max Meyer, Chris Paddack, Braxton Garrett
Barring injuries, Alcantara, Pérez, Meyer and Paddack are locks for the rotation. Meyer has looked sharp in his return from left hip surgery, while Garrett is learning to trust his stuff more in the zone in his return from a second Tommy John surgery. McCullough has said a pitcher’s handiness won’t determine being part of the pitching staff. Assuming Garrett rounds out the rotation, righty Janson Junk could serve as the swingman in the bullpen since he is out of Minor League options. His 2025 splits favored that role (4.53 ERA as a starter vs. 2.78 as a reliever).
Relief pitchers (8): Pete Fairbanks, Anthony Bender, Calvin Faucher, Tyler Phillips, Lake Bachar, Cade Gibson, John King, Janson Junk
Fairbanks, the club’s marquee signing, has 90 career saves. Bender, who was delayed by a flareup of his right shin, and Faucher return as capable setup men. Phillips and Bachar are being built up to go two to four innings. Free-agent signee King would join fellow southpaw Gibson, who proved to be Miami’s only reliable lefty during his rookie season (168 ERA+). Lefty Andrew Nardi recently pitched in a game for the first time since August 2024, but he will likely begin the season at Triple-A Jacksonville because of how much time he missed.