Quick thoughts on the Miami Marlins’ Opening Day lineup. An injury altered it
The Miami Marlins’ Opening Day lineup is out.
Here is how the team will be batting for their 2026 season opener against the Colorado Rockies on Friday at loanDepot park (7:10 p.m., Marlins.TV).
1.) Austin Slater, right field
2.) Agustin Ramirez, catcher
3.) Jakob Marsee, center field
4.) Otto Lopez, shortstop
5.) Connor Norby, first base
6.) Heriberto Hernandez, left field
7.) Xavier Edwards, second base
8.) Owen Caissie, designated hitter
9.) Javier Sanoja, third base
Starting pitcher: Sandy Alcantara
Some quick thoughts...
-Christopher Morel was originally in the lineup, batting fifth and playing first base, but was a late scratch because of a reported left oblique strain. The Marlins say he will be further evaluated. As a result, Connor Norby goes from being the designated hitter to playing first base, while rookie Owen Caissie makes his Marlins debut at designated hitter.
-The Marlins are going as right-handed heavy as possible with left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland on the mound for Colorado. That includes newly signed outfielder Austin Slater starting in right field and leading off and Heriberto Hernandez in left field with lefty Griffin Conine (and originally Caissie, too) on the bench. Lefty-hitting center fielder Jakob Marsee is going to play almost every day regardless of the matchup.
-Xavier Edwards being eighth is interesting. He’s generally the Marlins’ leadoff hitter, with 176 of his 224 career starts being at the top of the order. Maybe being a sparkplug at the bottom, with him and Javier Sanoja being contact guys to flip the order, could be beneficial.
-Defensively, Sanoja at third and originally having Morel at first makes sense. Morel had gotten the most time at first in spring. Sanoja can play anywhere and was a Gold Glove winner as a utility player. He’s not going to be in the lineup as a DH so putting him at third was the logical move. Norby could potentially play in multiple spots — including first base, third base and left field. Graham Pauley, a lefty, is the Marlins’ other option at third base.
-Agustin Ramirez is catching Sandy Alcantara. That was to be expected. The Marlins are going to give Ramirez as much opportunity to prove he can be an everyday MLB backstop.
This story was originally published March 27, 2026 at 3:36 PM.
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