The Miami Marlins are gearing up for their 2026 season opener against the Colorado Rockies on March 27, 2026, at loanDepot park. Sandy Alcantara will take the mound for the Marlins, while Kyle Freeland is set to start for the Rockies. This matchup marks a significant moment for both teams as they look to establish momentum for the season ahead.
In a notable development, Deyvison De Los Santos is being promoted to the major leagues for the first time, a move that follows his acquisition from the Diamondbacks in the A.J. Puk deadline deal in 2024. De Los Santos had a solid performance in the minors, boasting a .240/.284/.459 slash line over 50 games with Miami’s top affiliate in 2024, including 28 home runs across 87 games.
However, the Marlins are facing challenges with injuries. Christopher Morel has been scratched from the starting lineup due to a left oblique strain, and he 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 noted. Even mild oblique strains usually require injured list stints, as they tend to cause too much discomfort for hitters trying to rotate through swings.
Additionally, the Marlins will be without several key players, including Max Acosta, Kyle Stowers, Esteury Ruiz, Adam Mazur, and Ronny Henriquez, who are all on the injured list. Acosta, Stowers, and Ruiz are expected to miss 10 days each due to oblique and hamstring injuries, while Mazur and Henriquez face a longer absence of 60 days due to elbow injuries.
Despite these setbacks, the Marlins are optimistic about their lineup. Connor Norby made his first career start at first base in the Opening Day win over the Rockies, showcasing the team’s depth and resilience. The Marlins will not need to make any corresponding roster moves aside from placing Morel on the injured list, which indicates confidence in their current roster.
As the Marlins prepare for their season opener, observers are keen to see how the team will adapt to these injuries and the impact of De Los Santos’s promotion. The performance of Alcantara as the starting pitcher will also be crucial in setting the tone for the season. With the excitement of Opening Day upon them, fans are eager to see how the Marlins will navigate these challenges and what the future holds for the team.
