This Marlin is getting back in his groove

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola's Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Around this time last year, Jorge Soler didn't know where he would call his baseball home.

It wasn't until March 22, 2022, four games into a Spring Training delayed by the lockout, that he signed a free-agent contract with the Marlins. Soler was ready by Opening Day, starting in left field and batting leadoff in San Francisco.

But Soler battled back trouble for most of the season, closing out his 2022 on the 60-day injured list after his rehab stalled in mid-September. In 72 games, he slashed .207/.295/.400 with 13 home runs over 306 plate appearances. The '21 World Series MVP had been on pace for a 30-homer campaign. Without Soler and All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr., among others, the Marlins' lineup scuffled.

"There's no exact reason or rationale for why the injury happened,” Soler said via interpreter Jon Erik Alvarez. “But from seeing all the different doctors, what they've been able to tell me is that it's a broken disc and no surgery is needed. It's just more strengthening of the core and exercises focused on my core that is needed."

This offseason, Soler opted in on his $15 million player option and has been working out four times a week at loanDepot park, often alongside Chisholm. The second baseman has been rehabbing a stress fracture in his back and from right meniscus surgery. Shortstop Miguel Rojas and right fielder Avisaíl García, who, like Soler, hopes to rebound after a subpar first season with his new organization, also have been training at the ballpark.

With Spring Training set to begin next month, newcomer Jean Segura, All-Star first baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper, catcher Nick Fortes, infielder Joey Wendle and outfielders Jesús Sánchez and Bryan De La Cruz have joined them in getting a head start in preparing for the 2023 campaign.

"It's definitely motivation," Soler said. "We all kind of use it to push each other, and we also are becoming closer as a family."

While some of his teammates will compete in the World Baseball Classic in March, the Cuban-born Soler will forgo the tournament and remain in Jupiter, Fla., for what he hopes will be a bounceback campaign. Speaking during the Marlins' Holiday Wishes event on Dec. 14, Soler noted it was his third day taking swings in the cages and "it's probably the best I've felt so far."

Soler, who turns 31 on Feb. 25, will see a lot of time at designated hitter but also could play some left field. As such, he has been practicing with new outfield coach Jon Jay, his former Royals teammate.

"I'm doing it as if I don't have any injury in my back, so I feel good," Soler said. "I'm definitely happy with the progress I've made."