JUPITER, FL – The Miami Marlins are navigating a pair of injury concerns as spring training progresses. Outfielders Kyle Stowers and Esteury Ruiz both exited Friday’s Grapefruit League games early, casting a shadow over the team’s preparations for the 2026 season. Manager Clayton McCullough provided an update after the games, but as of Saturday, there’s no new information regarding the results of imaging tests for either player, according to MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola.
The injuries present different challenges for the Marlins. Stowers, who is looking to build on a breakout 2025 campaign, is dealing with a recurring right hamstring issue. McCullough described the strain as “very minor” three weeks ago, and the team has been cautious with his workload, limiting him to live batting practice for much of camp. Friday’s game marked only his sixth appearance of the spring, following a two-week absence from the field. Despite the limited action, Stowers managed to collect hits in his first two at-bats before exiting in the third inning.
Ruiz, acquired in a December trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, suffered a left oblique strain during a game against the Washington Nationals. He left the game after an awkward swing on a foul ball. Oblique strains often require a significant recovery period, potentially sidelining Ruiz for several weeks. The severity of the strain will determine the length of his absence, but even mild cases typically necessitate at least a couple of weeks on the injured list.
Ruiz, known for his exceptional speed – he led the American League with 67 stolen bases for the Oakland Athletics in 2023 – is competing for a spot on the Marlins’ bench. His time with the Athletics and Dodgers has been limited to 48 Major League games, hampered by both offensive struggles and knee problems. A strong performance in Triple-A in 2025 suggested potential improvement at the plate, though he’s had limited success in 41 plate appearances during Miami’s spring camp.
Impact on the Marlins’ Outfield
Even as Ruiz’s absence would primarily affect the depth of the Marlins’ bench, losing Stowers would be a more significant blow. Stowers enjoyed an All-Star season in 2025, posting a .288 batting average, .368 on-base percentage, .544 slugging percentage, and 25 home runs in 457 plate appearances. Ironically, his 2025 season was also cut short by an oblique strain in mid-August. Considering the Marlins finished just four games out of a National League Wild Card spot with a 78-83 record, his absence may have been a critical factor in their playoff miss.
Should Stowers require a stint on the 10-day injured list to start the season, the Marlins have several potential replacements. Javier Sanoja, Heriberto Hernandez, Christopher Morel (currently slated as a first baseman), and Connor Norby (who has been seeing time in the outfield) could all fill in at left field. The team’s limited outfield depth on the 40-man roster might also prompt them to explore trade or free agent options as other teams make their final camp cuts.
Looking Ahead
The Marlins are awaiting the results of further testing on both Stowers and Ruiz to determine the extent of their injuries and establish a timeline for their return. The team will likely proceed cautiously with both players, prioritizing their long-term health over a rushed return. The coming days will be crucial in assessing the impact of these injuries on the Marlins’ roster and their plans for the 2026 season.
Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available. Share your thoughts on the Marlins’ spring training developments in the comments below.
