5 best seasons in Marlins history by players who started off injured

[Ely Sussman]

The Miami Marlins' best offensive player from the previous year (Kyle Stowers) and top overall prospect (Thomas White) were both sidelined for a number of weeks to begin the 2026 season. Throughout the franchise's history, I figured that there were many examples of guys who overcame season-opening injured list stints to post extraordinary numbers. Not so much, as it turns out.

Barring any additional injuries, Stowers and White could soon find themselves on this list.

 

Honorable mentions

For those who do not know the backstory, the man seated in this photo is Marlins fan Andres Salgado. When José Fernández underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-2014, Salgado vowed to grow out his hair until the star right-hander completed his comeback. On July 1, 2015, the day before Fernández's return to the mound, Salgado was invited to Marlins Park where Fernández helped him celebrate the milestone.

Fernández performed close to his usual standards after being reinstated from the IL with a 2.92 ERA (131 ERA+) and 2.24 FIP, but the 11-start sample was just too small. Edward Cabrera in 2022 (14 GS) and Henderson Alvarez in 2013 (17 GS) also fall into this category.

I wanted to touch on Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s 2022 All-Star campaign as well. He played—and homered—for the Marlins on Opening Day, but did so while having a torn right meniscus. He suffered the injury in spring training and kept it private until a separate lower back issue ended his season prematurely.

The Marlins have not always been fully transparent about these things. Perhaps there are other Chisholm-like instances from an earlier era where productive players concealed or gutted through injuries all season long.

 

5. Dylan Floro, 2022

Initial injury: right rotator cuff tendonitis

Season debut date: May 10

Season fWAR: 0.7

Upon returning to the Marlins bullpen, Dylan Floro was lit up for five runs (all earned) in two innings. But he was quietly terrific the rest of the way (2.26 ERA and 2.82 FIP in next 51.2 IP).

Following the MLB trade deadline, Floro became Miami's primary closer.

 

4. A.J. Burnett, 2004

Initial injury: Tommy John surgery

Season debut date: June 3

Season fWAR: 2.9

A.J. Burnett worked 120 innings that season with uncharacteristically good control. On August 29, he set a then-franchise record with 14 strikeouts in a game.

 

3. Xavier Edwards, 2024

Initial injury: left foot infection

Season debut date: June 7

Season fWAR: 2.2

Because the Marlins were being overly patient with veteran shortstop Tim Anderson, Xavier Edwards had to wait until July 2 before the window opened for him to play regularly. He excelled on the offensive side of the ball, slashing .328/.397/.423 with 31 stolen bases in 70 games.

It nearly took another full year for the Marlins to accept that Edwards was best utilized as a second baseman.

 

2. Edward Cabrera, 2025

Initial injury: right middle finger blister

Season debut date: April 11

Season fWAR: 2.0

For the third time in a four-season span, Edward Cabrera suffered a physical setback during spring training. The Marlins were thin enough on starting pitching that they were willing to endure a 7.23 ERA from Cabrera through the month of April. He rewarded them by turning into the top arm in the club's rotation from May onward.

The Marlins sold high on Cabrera during the ensuing offseason, trading the right-hander to the Chicago Cubs for a prospect package.

 

1. J.T. Realmuto, 2018

Initial injury: lower back contusion

Season debut date: April 17

Season fWAR: 4.7

J.T. Realmuto earned the first of his three career All-Star selections. He caught 38.2% of runners who attempted to steal—that mark won't be matched by a Marlin for the foreseeable future given the sport's recent rule changes making stolen bases more difficult to defend.

Realmuto finished with 4.7 fWAR. With the exception of Iván Rodríguez's 2003 performance, this is arguably the best season by any Marlins catcher.

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