JUPITER, Fla. – Only 12 days remain of Marlins' big league camp.
Here are seven storylines to follow as we draw closer to their opening game on March 27:
World Baseball Classic players’ status
Eight members of the 40-man roster have been participating, keeping them away from big league camp over the last week-plus: ace Sandy Alcantara (returned to pitch in last Thursday’s Grapefruit League game), outfielders Jakob Marsee and Owen Caissie, shortstop Otto Lopez, catchers Agustín Ramírez and Liam Hicks, utility player Javier Sanoja and infielder Jared Serna.
Of that group, all but Serna project to be on the Opening Day roster or have a legitimate chance at making the club.
Alcantara was scheduled to start on Wednesday night in the last pool play game, with the Dominican Republic having already advanced to the quarterfinals. Sanoja’s Venezuela also clinched a spot. Canada (Lopez, Caissie and Hicks) and Italy (Marsee) could punch a ticket depending on how the games play out on Wednesday.
The quarterfinals begin on Friday, and the final will be held on Tuesday at loanDepot park. The Marlins' Grapefruit League schedule ends on March 22, just five days after.
Kyle Stowers’ recovery
Miami has been cautious with Stowers, who strained his right hamstring on Feb. 25. Since then, he has worked his way back to running full speed (Tuesday) and getting live at-bats (last Friday) leading up to his Grapefruit League return this coming Saturday. Miami won’t overdo it playing Stowers deep into games or on back-to-back days off the bat.
Graham Pauley’s arm
Although imaging came back clean on Pauley’s right elbow, he remains in no-throw status. Manager Clayton McCullough went on to say that it will be “a while” before Pauley can play defense in a Grapefruit League game as his throwing program involves building up arm strength and endurance. The key thing to monitor is how Pauley starts feeling once he throws more. Miami doesn’t want it to be a lingering issue throughout the season.
While Pauley can’t throw, he has still been able to serve as the designated hitter in Spring Training contests. On Monday, Pauley played five innings on defense -- without throwing -- on the back fields.
Pauley’s availability affects the third-base situation in particular. He and Connor Norby are the primary candidates there. If Pauley’s arm isn’t ready, Sanoja and Maximo Acosta could feature more prominently.
Janson Junk’s build-up
Junk, who is out of Minor League options, must make the Opening Day roster. After spraining his right ankle early in camp and falling behind the other pitchers, Junk returned to the mound for his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday and tossed a scoreless inning. He gave up one run over two frames in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Astros.
The Marlins intend to build up Junk, who started and relieved in 2025. If Miami’s rotation turns out to be some order of Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Max Meyer, Chris Paddack and Braxton Garrett, Junk could be the swingman in the bullpen. Being able to provide multiple innings will be crucial due to the club’s most recent injury.
Adam Mazur’s surgery fallout
Like Junk, Mazur was part of the organization’s starting-pitching depth along with fellow righties Bradley Blalock and Ryan Gusto as well as Dax Fulton (recently optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville). That took a hit after Mazur underwent surgery that will keep him out in 2026.
Since Mazur was on the 40-man roster, the Marlins could move him to the 60-day injured list and free up a spot. Would Miami immediately use it to add a non-roster invitee? Notable internal options include righty reliever Zach Brzykcy and the following Top 100 prospect.
Robby Snelling’s presence
Snelling, who opened Miami’s Grapefruit League slate almost three weeks ago, has been one of the most impressive players in camp. In his most recent appearance, the 22-year-old southpaw struck out six Astros across three scoreless innings.
MLB Pipeline’s No. 39 overall prospect is not on the 40-man roster, and barring an injury, there’s no space for him on the Opening Day roster. Miami intends to use a five-man rotation, and as stated above, it will likely send out Alcantara, Pérez, Meyer, Paddack and Garrett.
The longer Snelling remains at camp, however, the more evident it is how strongly the organization feels about his progress and big league readiness. Things are getting interesting.
Roster’s final spots
Injuries could play a factor, as they did last spring when Norby sustained a left oblique strain on the second-to-last day of camp.
Is Pauley’s arm healthy enough? Will Junk or Andrew Nardi be ready in time? Does the club prefer the versatility and speed of Esteury Ruiz over the pop of Heriberto Hernández?
“What the final 26 ends up being is going to come down to the very end,” McCullough said.