MIAMI -- The Marlins announced their Opening Day roster ahead of Thursday afternoon's matchup against the Pirates at loanDepot park, with 17 members of the 26-player roster set to experience their first Major League season opener.
Catcher (2): Nick Fortes, Liam Hicks
Fortes, the incumbent, was making his second consecutive Opening Day start -- this time to catch ace Sandy Alcantara in his return from Tommy John surgery. Hicks, the Rule 5 Draft pick who has yet to appear above the Double-A level, was informed that he made the club on Friday.
First baseman (1): Matt Mervis
Manager Clayton McCullough has said he doesn't see much defensive separation between Mervis, Jonah Bride and Eric Wagaman, but the latter two can also play third. This could wind up being a platoon between the left-handed-hitting Mervis and the right-handed-hitting Bride and Wagaman throughout the season, with one of the odd men out able to serve as the designated hitter on a given day like Bride did on Opening Day. Mervis is seen as a change-of-scenery candidate.
Second baseman (1): Otto Lopez
Last April, the Marlins claimed Lopez off waivers from the Giants two years removed from his last Major League action. He went on to become one of the best defensive second basemen.
Shortstop (1): Xavier Edwards
One of the club's guaranteed everyday players on the roster, Edwards kept to a throwing program over the offseason to improve his shoulder and arm strength. In 2024, he thrived at the plate (.328 average and 31 steals) but he struggled on the field (second-fewest OAA in MLB, minimum 550 innings).
Third baseman (1): Graham Pauley
Connor Norby starts the season on the injured list after he tweaked his left oblique on a swing during Grapefruit League action on Saturday. Lefty bat Pauley (Miami's No. 25 prospect) got the Opening Day nod over righty bats Bride, Wagaman and Javier Sanoja (Marlins' No. 15 prospect). Pauley, who made his Major League debut in Korea as a member of the Padres last March, had been optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on March 16.
Outfielders (3): Kyle Stowers, Derek Hill, Griffin Conine
This unit is without longest-tenured position player Jes¨²s S¨¢nchez (left oblique strain) to open the season, which made it possible for each member of the Stowers, Hill, Conine and Dane Myers quartet to be named to the Opening Day roster. Everyone but Conine can man all three outfield positions. Even before S¨¢nchez's injury, Miami was likely to play matchups because of its mix of left-handed and right-handed bats. Stowers and Conine would be the corner outfielders and Hill or Myers the preferred center fielder.
Designated hitter (1): Jonah Bride
This role will rotate starters needing a break from the field or taking advantage of a platoon situation. On Opening Day, Bride started in this role, with Mervis at first base and Pauley at third. The trio of Pauley, Wagaman and Bride could bounce between first, third and DH.
Bench (3): Dane Myers, Javier Sanoja, Eric Wagaman
On any given day, the bench will be determined in large part by who fills in for Norby, the odd man out in the outfield and who serves as the DH. According to McCullough, the right-handed-hitting Sanoja could see action everywhere around the diamond except maybe first base and catcher.
Starting pitchers (5): RHP Sandy Alcantara, RHP Connor Gillispie, RHP Valente Bellozo, RHP Max Meyer, Cal Quantrill
Right-hander Edward Cabrera (blister) and left-hander Ryan Weathers (mild left forearm flexor strain) began the season on the injured list, opening up two spots in the rotation. Gillispie, a waiver claim from the Braves in late January, will be making his first Major League start (he has just three MLB career appearances -- all last season). Bellozo had been optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on March 14.
Relief pitchers (8): RHP Calvin Faucher, RHP Jesus Tinoco, RHP Anthony Bender, RHP Lake Bachar, RHP George Soriano, RHP Ronny Henriquez, LHP Anthony Veneziano, RHP Tyler Phillips
The main quartet will mix and match as late-inning options. Righty Declan Cronin (left hip discomfort) beginning the season on the injured list opened up a spot for Phillips, who was acquired from the Phillies for cash on Wednesday. Phillips can serve as a swingman after starting seven games for Philadelphia in 2024. Veneziano is the only southpaw in the bullpen, getting the nod over non-roster invitee and former prospect Josh Simpson.