Needing roster space, Marlins lose Johnston, make seven moves. And spring games
Marlins first baseman Troy Johnston, a long-time minor leaguer who made a splash after a July call-up, was claimed off waivers by Colorado on Wednesday, an unfortunate byproduct of the Marlins needing to create space for several established pitchers coming off injuries, in advance of this week’s MLB deadline to set the 40-man roster.
Miami also lost reliever George Soriano to Baltimore. Soriano, who had one save in each of his three seasons with the Marlins,had an 8.35 ERA in 12 appearances last season and a 5.95 ERA in 73 appearances over three seasons.
Losing Johnston stings a bit, because he hit well (.277, .331 on base) with four homers and 13 RBI in 44 games and 131 plate appearances after his July 29 call-in.
Drafted by the Marlins in the 17th round out of Gonzaga in 2019, Johnston played in 636 games over six minor league seasons before making his big-league debut this past summer. He was the Marlins Minor League Player of the Year in 2023.
From the glass-half-full perspective, keep in mind that the Marlins were scrambling to find good players for the 40-man roster a year ago. That’s no longer the case, and difficult decisions must be made.
Players who finished the season on the injured list must be placed back on the 40-man roster within five days of the end of the World Series, which concluded with the Dodgers’ Game 7 win against Toronto on Saturday.
For the Marlins, that required clearing space for pitchers Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett and Anthony Bender and possibly Andrew Nardi, who’s arbitration eligible.
More moves are expected Thursday.
The Marlins plan to pursue an established first baseman via free agency or trade this offseason, according to a source.
Even with Johnston’s departure, the Marlins still have several first basemen on their 40-man roster: Liam Hicks (who’s also a catcher), Eric Wagaman and Graham Pauley (who can also play third base and corner outfield), and prospect Deyvison De Los Santos, who is expected to begin next season in the minors.
The Marlins made several other procedural moves Wednesday:
▪ Right handers Jesus Tinoco and Tyler Zuber were reinstated from the 60-day injured list and outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville.
▪ Right-handers Valente Bellozo and Freddy Tarnok and catcher Brian Navarreto were outrighted to Jacksonville, clearing more space on the 40-man roster.
Spring schedule announced
The Marlins announced Wednesday that they will open their 28-game Grapefruit League spring training schedule with a Feb. 21 game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie.
The Marlins also will play Israel’s World Baseball Classic roster in a March 3 exhibition in Jupiter.
Here are the Marlins’ spring games at their facility in Jupiter, including “road” games against the Cardinals, with whom they share Roger Dean Stadium:
Feb. 22nd - vs. Nationals
Feb. 23rd - vs. Cardinals
Feb. 24th - vs. Phillies
Feb. 25th - vs. Astros
Feb. 28th - vs. Cardinals
March 2nd - vs. Cardinals
March 3rd - vs Team Israel
March 5th - vs Astros
March 6th - vs. Mets
March 8th - vs. Cardinals
March 10th - vs. Nationals
March 11th - vs. Astros
March 14 - vs. Cardinals
March 16th - Blue Jays
March 17th - Mets
March 20th - Nationals
March 22nd - Mets
Besides the spring opener in Port St. Lucie, the Marlins also have road games against Toronto Feb. 26 in Dunedin; Philadelphia Feb. 27 in Clearwater; Washington March 1 in West Palm Beach; Houston March 7 in West Palm Beach the Mets March 9 and March 13 in Port St. Lucie; a split squad game against Washington March 14 in West Palm Beach; Houston March 15 in West Palm and Washington March 18 in West Palm.
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM.
