A six-pack of Marlins notes on a Wednesday:
▪ There is some measure of clarity – but far from complete clarity – for Marlins fans who have been asking if they will be able to watch games in the traditional way that many of them have all these years — through a cable or satellite provider.
With the Marlins moving their rights from FanDuel Sports Florida to MLB’s in-house media arm, the Marlins say fans who received the games on FanDuel last season can feel confident that they will be able to watch the games on their same provider this season, even though no agreements have been signed.
That means the Marlins are very optimistic that providers such as Comcast Xfinity and DirecTV, which both carry the FanDuel networks, also will strike a deal with MLB to carry Marlins games on a stand-alone channel.
But fans who subscribe to providers that do not carry the FanDuel networks, such as YouTube TV, should have far less confidence, we’re told.
There won’t be complete clarity until MLB announces all of the deals it has struck for the handful of teams leaving FanDuel. That announcement is scheduled for next Wednesday or Thursday.
At that time, the Marlins will disclose the channel number where games will air on the cable and satellite providers that agree to carry the games. We also will know at that time if there will be an extra cost, beyond your cable or satellite subscription, to watch those games. (There’s expected to be an extra charge; how much will depend on the provider.)
There is a way to watch the games under any circumstances: As long as you have functional internet, you can stream the games through Marlins.TV, for $99.99 for the season (or half that, if you’re a season ticket holder).
If your cable or satellite provider airs the games on a stand-alone channel, you will need to make a decision quickly about whether to access the games that way or through Marlins.TV. The Marlins open the regular season at home against Colorado at 7:10 p.m. Friday, March 27.
The Marlins also plan to simulcast the maximum-permitted 10 games on a local over-the-air station, with CBS-4 and sister station WBFS-33 in play for those games.
▪ Max Acosta, who had been a long-shot option at third base, will miss three to four weeks with an oblique strain. He was 5 for 20 his spring.
“Max was having a terrific camp,” manager Clayton McCullough said. “Whether Max would have made our camp at the outset or not, we know he is someone we would count on at some point.”
▪ The Marlins had hoped Ryan Gusto – acquired in last July’s Jesus Sanchez trade with Houston – would continue to develop as a potential starter, but he pitched poorly in three starts for the Marlins last season (9.77 ERA) and will begin this season in the minors. He allowed 12 hits and five runs in 9 ⅔ innings this spring.
“We’re working with Ryan to try to get some more [swing and] miss,” McCullough said. “It’s not like you have to strike out the world. But having the ability to have some weapons with two [strikes] to put people away is important. He’s a strike thrower that has a deep arsenal and some secondaries to continue to get better to allow him to put guys away.”
Also optioned in recent days was reliever Jack Ralston, who struck out 10 and allowed no runs in five innings this spring. The Marlins signed him as a minor league free agent last December; the 27-year-old former UCLA pitcher has a 3.36 ERA and 16 saves in 175 games over six-minor league seasons.
“Ralston opened eyes as much as anyone in this camp,” McCullough said. “Jack has a realistic chance of helping us as a reliever. He was one of the more pleasant surprises of camp with someone who is new to our group.”
▪ Among others optioned to the minors in recent days: Catcher Joe Mack, a top-70 prospect in baseball. His bat was simmering early in spring, but he finished at .125 (3 for 24) with seven strikeouts, two walks, a homer and four RBI.
The Marlins will open the season with Agustin Ramirez and Hicks behind the plate; they’re back with the team after playing in the WBC. Ramirez is 0 for 17 this spring; Hicks in 5 for 15.
“Joe is coming off a terrific year” at Triple A, McCullough said. “For a high school catcher to get to Triple A by 22, he’s on a really good trajectory. Defensive side, we know he can catch and throw. The timing of the WBC gave Joe a lot of opportunities, a lot of chances to catch. He spent a lot of time with our pitching crew and staff.
“Offensively, Joe is still a young developing player. The type of power he has, he’s just to continue to refine that. He’s shown well. Joe’s time will come when it comes. We’re going with a group we think is better suited to start the year of.
“He’s very close. We reiterated to Joe, .. keep getting better… offensively, tightening up your swing and the approach. He’s a much more mature player and person, interactions this year than last year.”
▪ New closer Peter Fairbanks has had an excellent camp, with one hit and no runs allowed in five scoreless innings, with seven strikeouts… Eury Perez has 15 strikeouts (and seven earned runs permitted) in 9 2/3 innings… Robby Snelling, the Marlins’ No. 2 pitching prospect behind Thomas White, has 13 strikeouts, but also seven earned runs allowed, in 8 1/3 innings.
▪ Besides Hicks, others who have hit well this spring include Otto Lopez (6 for 18, .333) and Connor Norby (12 for 38, .316).
Besides Ramirez and Mack, others who have struggled (15 plus at bats) include Jacob Berry (1 for 25), Chris Morel (5 for 37, .135), Esteury Ruiz (4 for 30, .133), Xavier Edwards (5 for 30, .167) and Griffin Conine (7 for 33, .212).
This story was originally published March 18, 2026 at 2:47 PM.
Miami Herald
Barry Jackson has written for the Miami Herald since 1986 and has written the Florida Sports Buzz column since 2002.