It’s been only a few weeks since Fish On First’s previous 2026 roster projection, but the Miami Marlins have been very busy. Since then, they signed right-handed reliever Pete Fairbanks to a one-year deal worth $13 million, traded Dane Myers to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for outfield prospect Ethan O’Donnell, acquired Esteury Ruiz from the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitching prospect Adriano Marrero and dealt Eric Wagaman to the Minnesota Twins for pitching prospect Kade Bragg. The Marlins also lost right-handed reliever Ronny Henriquez to season-ending right elbow UCL reconstruction surgery.
Accounting for those transactions, here is our Marlins Opening Day roster projection, version 3.0.
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Position Players
Default Starting Lineup: C AgustÃn RamÃrez, 1B Christopher Morel, 2B Xavier Edwards, 3B Graham Pauley, SS Otto Lopez, LF Kyle Stowers, CF Jakob Marsee, RF Griffin Conine, DH Heriberto Hernández
Bench: INF/OF Connor Norby, UTIL Javier Sanoja, OF Esteury Ruiz, C/1B Liam Hicks
Ruiz is the leading candidate to fill Myers’ shoes. He isn’t as good defensively, but can play all three outfield spots, and his speed makes him even more useful off the bench in late-game situations. Ruiz has hit much better versus left-handed pitchers during his MLB career (.720 OPS), so most of his plate appearances should come against them.
The Marlins can use Ruiz’s final minor league option at the end of spring training if another hitter in camp clearly outperforms him.
Just Missed: OF Victor Mesa Jr., C Joe Mack, 1B Deyvison De Los Santos
An injury to any of the left-handed-hitting outfielders listed above could open the door for Mesa to make his first career Opening Day roster. He appeared in 16 Marlins games in 2025 across two separate stints.
Mack will likely finish the year as the club’s most-used catcher. However, expect his debut to be delayed long enough for the Marlins to secure an extra year of club control over him.
Once De Los Santos shows that his winter ball success can translate to affiliated ball, he’ll get his opportunity to earn the full-time first base job.
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Pitchers
Starting rotation: RHP Sandy Alcantara, RHP Edward Cabrera, RHP Eury Pérez, LHP Ryan Weathers, RHP Max MeyerÂ
Bullpen: RHP Pete Fairbanks, RHP Anthony Bender, RHP Tyler Phillips, RHP Calvin Faucher, LHP Cade Gibson, RHP Josh White, RHP Lake Bachar, RHP Janson JunkÂ
Edward Cabrera continues to draw widespread trade interest. Still, we can’t assume his departure yet—the Marlins have made him available in the past without receiving what they consider to be a fair offer.
Fairbanks essentially replaces the injured Henriquez. He will be the Marlins’ highest-leverage reliever, pitching in most save situations.
White is coming off one of the best seasons by a Marlins minor league reliever in recent memory, posting a 1.86 ERA and 1.65 FIP in 67 â…” innings pitched. He has zero left to prove in Triple-A. Relievers are so volatile that service time shouldn’t influence the timing of his debut like it would for a starting pitcher or position player. His inclusion leaves the Marlins with only one left-hander in their bullpen, but keep in mind that White struck out more than 40% of the lefties he faced in 2025.
Just missed:Â LHP Braxton Garrett, LHP Josh Simpson, LHP Andrew Nardi
Garrett’s overall career numbers are actually slightly better than Cabrera’s. He would be the first starting pitcher called up in the event of a trade. Going down to AAA may help shake off the rust after spending last year rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
The Marlins have had opportunities this offseason to squeeze Simpson and Nardi off their 40-man roster, but other players were sacrificed instead. That suggests the club truly believes in the positive flashes Simpson showed at the end of a difficult season and the progress Nardi is making in his comeback from recurring back problems. They will both be monitored closely during spring training.