With just four spring training games remaining (including two split squad games on Friday), Marlins roster battles are beginning to come into focus.
Three key battles remained unresolved as of Thursday morning:
1). The final spot among 13 position players. Barring an injury, there’s likely room for only two among Heriberto Hernandez, Griffin Conine and Esteury Ruiz. (The interesting twist is that Ruiz remains very much in play to make the team even though he’s hitting .133.)
2). The final spot in the starting rotation. Janson Junk and Braxton Garrett are battling for that, per a source.
3). The final bullpen spot. This likely comes down to a choice of left-handers: Cade Gibson or Andrew Nardi.
More details on where things stand:
Position battles
One thing that is clear, barring a major change in their thinking over the next three days: The Marlins want prized prospect/outfielder Owen Caissie on the team, per a source. He’s just 1 for 10 this spring, but has four walks and played well for Canada in the WBC.
“Owen has performed at a very high level in Triple A,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said, adding that when players already have proven themselves at that level, “guys need some runway” in the big leagues. And “that time is now,” McCullough said.
Caissie’s WBC performance, which included 7 hits in 17 at-bats and a home run, “shows the moment wasn’t too big for him,” McCullough said. “Being on that stage wasn’t too big. Owen still has to go out and perform here. Hopefully he can play free, play relaxed and allow the ability we know he has to shine. There’s a lot of room for Owen to develop as a hitter.”
There are 14 automatics or serious contenders for position player jobs and only 13 likely can make the team. Those 14: Caissie, Kyle Stowers (starter in left field), Jakob Marsee (starter in center field), Xavier Edwards (starter at second base), Otto Lopez (starter at shortstop), Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks (the two catchers), Chris Morel (expected to be the primary first baseman), Graham Pauley and Connor Norby (who are battling for playing time at third base, DH and elsewhere), Hernandez (designated hitter and extra outfielder if he makes the team), Conine (would get starts in the outfield, DH and potentially first base if he makes the team), Javier Sanoja (ace utility man) and Ruiz (pinch-runner, backup center fielder if he makes the team).
Conine was thought to be an automatic entering camp, but keep in mind that he’s a left-handed hitter and the Marlins have three other left-handed hitting outfielders (Caissie, Marsee and Stowers). He’s also learning how to play first base and has hit .212 (7 for 33) this spring, with a .333 on-base average.
Hernandez also would have seemed to be an automatic based on his production last season; he’s at .233 (.324 on base) this spring.
But there are factors helping Ruiz in his bid to wrest a job from one of them:
Ruiz has struggled to hit this spring (4 for 30, .133) but he’s right-handed in a left-heavy outfield; has a decent on-base average (.325, thanks to six walks); is an accomplished base stealer (five steals this spring and the quintessential pinch-runner late in close games); and is a skilled defender in center field. Without Ruiz, the Marlins don’t have a natural center-field backup behind Marsee.
So don’t dismiss Ruiz because of the low average. It’s certainly not definite that he will be on the team, but strong consideration is being given to a player who led the American League with 73 steals in 2023.
Pitching staff
The rotation, barring injuries, looks set: Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Chris Paddack, Max Meyer and Garrett or Junk. That decision is expected by the weekend.
The top 10 bullpen arms appear clear cut; the problem is there’s probably only room for eight.
Those 10 are closer Peter Fairbanks; right-handers Tyler Phillips, Calvin Faucher, Anthony Bender, Lake Bachar and Junk (if he’s not in the rotation) and Michael Peterson; and lefties John King (the veteran pickup), Andrew Nardi and Cade Gibson. Among these pitchers, only Phillips and Junk do not have minor-league options remaining.
Fairbanks, Phillips, Junk, Faucher, Bender, Bachar and King are safe bets.
So two pitchers (among Peterson, Gibson, Nardi and Garrett – if he doesn’t win the No. 5 rotation job) likely either need to go on the injured list or go to Triple A. The Junk/Garrett decision will impact the decision on Peterson, who had a 3.97 ERA in 11 inning for the Marlins last season and a 3.52 ERA this spring.
With King positioned to make the team, this is looking like a decision between Gibson and Nardi, who didn’t pitch last season because of a back injury and missed most of camp this year because of a finger injury but is now healthy.
“Nardi has continued to throw really well; he’s feeling great,” McCullough said. “His stuff has been in a good spot since he got in the games. It’s been a difficult road. Andrew is a really good pitcher. He’s a healthy player that can go out and pitch.”
McCullough also has praised Gibson, who was very good last season (2.63 ERA). But King, Gibson and Nardi are all lefties, and it’s difficult to imagine the Marlins would keep three lefties in their pen, though it’s certainly not out of the question.
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 12:14 PM.
Miami Herald
Barry Jackson has written for the Miami Herald since 1986 and has written the Florida Sports Buzz column since 2002.