Marlins reduce Jakob Marsee's playing time amidst season-long struggles

[Kevin Barral]

HOUSTON, TX - For the first time this season, the Miami Marlins faced a right-handed starting pitcher without including outfielder Jakob Marsee in their lineup. Instead, Esteury Ruiz ninth and manned center field against the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

This wasn't due to an injury or a day of rest, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough confirmed. It's a reaction to Marsee's lack of offensive production throughout the 2026 season, even when he's had the platoon advantage.

"Talked with Jakob and I think we are at a point where it's no secret that Jakob has struggled this year from a performance standpoint," McCullough said. "Jakob is still going to play with regularity, but told him there's going to be some times here coming up where versus right, you don't start."

Marsee's first month at the major league level was as good as the Marlins could've dreamed. In August 2025, he slashed .352/.430/.629/1.058 with four home runs, 25 RBI and nine stolen bases. The next month, he hit .231/.292/.327/.619 with one home run, eight RBI and stole five bases. Over the offseason, there were discussion of a potential contract extension, but those never went far.

In 98 games this season, Marsee has continued where he left off at the end of 2025, slashing .192/.313/.287/.600 with five home runs, 25 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a 73 wRC+. Among players with a minimum of 400 plate appearances, Marsee has the lowest batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and wRC+ in baseball. Despite that, the Marlins have given him every opportunity to turn things around as he ranks third on the team in games played and plate appearances.

That being said, Marsee provides value defensively and on the base paths. He has a plus-five outs above average in center and his 19 stolen bases are second on the team.

"He has showed up on that side of the field defensively and played very well," McCullough said. "If he needs to pinch run, pinch hit or go on defense, we're going to use that because it's about trying to win games.

On the flipside, Ruiz, who had played in 62 games entering Wednesday, is slashing .243/.363/.485/.848 with five home runs, 10 RBI, 20 stolen bases and a 132 wRC+. 

"In a limited sample of opportunity this year, he has done some really nice things for us and just kind of got to the point with where we're at where give Esteury some more opportunity to get into the lineup," McCullough said.

On Wednesday, Ruiz went 1-for-4 with two more steals. Marsee remained on the bench during the 5-2 Marlins loss.

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