The Miami Marlins will play their season opener against the Colorado Rockies on March 27, 2026, at loanDepot park, with Sandy Alcantara taking the mound for Miami and Kyle Freeland starting for Colorado. This matchup marks a crucial start for both teams as they aim to set a positive tone for the season.
In a notable development, Deyvison De Los Santos is being promoted to the major leagues for the first time, after being acquired from the Diamondbacks in the A.J. Puk deadline deal in 2024. De Los Santos had a .240/.284/.459 slash line over 50 games for Miami’s top affiliate in 2024, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset for the Marlins.
However, the Marlins are facing challenges with injuries. Christopher Morel has been scratched from the starting lineup due to a left oblique strain and will be placed on the 10-day injured list. “The Fish will know more about Morel’s status after he goes for imaging tomorrow,” a team source stated. Observers note that even mild oblique strains usually require injured list stints, as they can cause significant discomfort for hitters trying to rotate through swings.
Additionally, the Marlins will also be without Max Acosta, Kyle Stowers, and Esteury Ruiz, each placed on the 10-day injured list due to oblique and hamstring injuries. Adam Mazur and Ronny Henriquez are facing longer recovery times, each on the 60-day injured list due to elbow injuries.
Despite these setbacks, Connor Norby made his first career start at first base for the Marlins in their Opening Day win over the Rockies, contributing to a 5-2 victory. This win is a promising start for the Marlins as they navigate through their roster challenges.
De Los Santos, who connected for 28 home runs across 87 games in 2024, will be a player to watch as he steps into a more prominent role. His previous year saw him hit 12 longballs, but he also faced setbacks, losing five weeks due to a left quad strain.
As the Marlins prepare for the season, they will need to adjust their strategies to account for the injuries and the new additions to the roster. The team’s depth will be tested as they look to maintain momentum in the early part of the season.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of Morel’s injury and how it may affect the Marlins’ lineup moving forward. The team will be closely monitoring the situation as they aim to solidify their roster for the upcoming games.
