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With just four spring training games remaining (including two split squad games on Friday), Marlins roster battles are beginning to come into focus.<\/p>\n
Three key battles remained unresolved as of Thursday morning:<\/p>\n
1). The final spot among 13 position players. Barring an injury, there\u2019s 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\u2019s hitting .133.)<\/p>\n
2). The final spot in the starting rotation. Janson Junk and Braxton Garrett are battling for that, per a source.<\/p>\n
3). The final bullpen spot. This likely comes down to a choice of left-handers: Cade Gibson or Andrew Nardi.<\/p>\n
More details on where things stand:<\/p>\n
Position battles<\/p>\n
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\u2019s just 1 for 10 this spring, but has four walks and played well for Canada in the WBC.<\/p>\n
\u201cOwen has performed at a very high level in Triple A,\u201d Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said, adding that when players already have proven themselves at that level, \u201cguys need some runway\u201d in the big leagues. And \u201cthat time is now,\u201d McCullough said.<\/p>\n
Caissie\u2019s WBC performance, which included 7 hits in 17 at-bats and a home run, \u201cshows the moment wasn\u2019t too big for him,\u201d McCullough said. \u201cBeing on that stage wasn\u2019t 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\u2019s a lot of room for Owen to develop as a hitter.\u201d<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
Conine was thought to be an automatic entering camp, but keep in mind that he\u2019s a left-handed hitter and the Marlins have three other left-handed hitting outfielders (Caissie, Marsee and Stowers). He\u2019s also learning how to play first base and has hit .212 (7 for 33) this spring, with a .333 on-base average.<\/p>\n
Hernandez also would have seemed to be an automatic based on his production last season; he\u2019s at .233 (.324 on base) this spring.<\/p>\n
But there are factors helping Ruiz in his bid to wrest a job from one of them:<\/p>\n
Ruiz has struggled to hit this spring (4 for 30, .133) but he\u2019s 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\u2019t have a natural center-field backup behind Marsee.<\/p>\n
So don\u2019t dismiss Ruiz because of the low average. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Pitching staff<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The top 10 bullpen arms appear clear cut; the problem is there\u2019s probably only room for eight.<\/p>\n
Those 10 are closer Peter Fairbanks; right-handers Tyler Phillips, Calvin Faucher, Anthony Bender, Lake Bachar and Junk (if he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Fairbanks, Phillips, Junk, Faucher, Bender, Bachar and King are safe bets.<\/p>\n
So two pitchers (among Peterson, Gibson, Nardi and Garrett – if he doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
With King positioned to make the team, this is looking like a decision between Gibson and Nardi, who didn\u2019t pitch last season because of a back injury and missed most of camp this year because of a finger injury but is now healthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cNardi has continued to throw really well; he\u2019s feeling great,\u201d McCullough said. \u201cHis stuff has been in a good spot since he got in the games. It\u2019s been a difficult road. Andrew is a really good pitcher. He\u2019s a healthy player that can go out and pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCullough also has praised Gibson, who was very good last season (2.63 ERA). But King, Gibson and Nardi are all lefties, and it\u2019s difficult to imagine the Marlins would keep three lefties in their pen, though it\u2019s certainly not out of the question.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 12:14 PM.<\/p>\n