Miami Marlins utility player Christopher Morel (5) catches the ball during the team’s first full-squad spring training workout at Roger Dean Stadium on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Jupiter, Fla.
Photo by Matias J. Ocner
mocner@miamiherald.com
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.) Christopher Morel, first base
6.) Connor Norby, designated hitter
7.) Heriberto Hernandez, left field
8.) Xavier Edwards, second base
9.) Javier Sanoja, third base
Starting pitcher: Sandy Alcantara
Some quick thoughts…
-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 lefties Griffin Conine and Owen Caissie 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, Christopher Morel at first, Sanoja at third and Connor Norby at designated hitter makes sense. Morel has 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 makes sense.
-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.
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Miami Herald
Jordan McPherson covers the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Panthers for the Miami Herald. He attended the University of Florida and covered the Gators athletic program for five years before joining the Herald staff in December 2017.