Miami Marlins outfielder Jesús Sánchez is recovering right on schedule from the oblique strain that he suffered during spring training. He could potentially be back in Miami's lineup during next week's series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The club has fared better than expected in Sánchez's absence, but one position player must be squeezed off the roster to make room for him.

The most straightforward possibility would be highly unpopular: optioning Griffin Conine. That swaps one left-handed-hitting corner outfielder for another. Conine's been impacting the ball hard and playing well defensively, but only has a 86 wRC+ to show for it. With center field experience and slightly more speed, Kyle Stowers meshes better with Sánchez.

However, if Sánchez is going to frequently be the designated hitter (as he should, in my opinion), demotions would be easier to justify for Eric Wagaman or Jonah Bride. Wagaman is hitting into some bad luck; Bride has been the weakest link by any measure, but demonstrated what he's capable of throughout the second half of 2024. I think Wagaman is more likely to get sent down in that scenario. The Marlins could roll with a Matt Mervis/Bride platoon at first base and a Graham Pauley/Javier Sanoja platoon at third base until Connor Norby gets back.

On Thursday down on the farm, there was an organizational sweep! Triple-A Jacksonville won, 8-5. To kick off their rehab assignments, Sánchez went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and Declan Cronin retired the side in order in the first inning. Jakob Marsee, Minor League Baseball's stolen base leader, hit his first home run of the season. Double-A Pensacola won, 8-5. Shane Sasaki and Harrison Spohn combined to drive in seven of those runs. High-A Beloit won, 8-7. Low-A Jupiter won, 3-2. Dillon Head hit his first home run as a member of the Marlins organization and Micah McDowell recorded the walk-off RBI single.

More Marlins news and content below:

🔷 Sandy Alcantara, whose daughter was born on Monday, has been reinstated from the paternity list. In a corresponding move, Valente Bellozo was optioned to Triple-A, where he will continue working as a starting pitcher. Alcantara is Miami's probable starter for Saturday's game, according to Craig Mish of FanDuel Sports Network Florida. 

🔷 Let the Agustín Ramírez call-up watch begin: the Marlins have kept him in the minors long enough to gain an extra year of club control (through the 2031 season).

🔷 Ryan Schlesinger analyzes the early-season performances of Nick Fortes, Xavier Edwards and Lake Bachar.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, longtime Marlins executive Michael Hill has been named general manager of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. An eight-game losing streak has put the Chicago White Sox in an all-too-familiar place: sole possession of the worst record in the majors.

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins open up a three-game series against the Washington Nationals (probable starter LHP Mitchell Parker). Edward Cabrera is expected to be reinstated from the injured list and make his Marlins season debut. First pitch at 7:10 p.m.

🔷 Prior to the game, Fish On First LIVE will preview the series beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET. FOF LIVE is presented by About The Fans. Check out our new merchandise collection (coupon code fof10 for 10% off).

🔷 Today's MiLB schedule:

• Triple-A Jacksonville vs. Charlotte, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Double-A Pensacola vs. Montgomery, 7:05 p.m. ET
• High-A Beloit at Cedar Rapids, 7:35 p.m. ET
• Low-A Jupiter vs. Dunedin, 6:30 p.m. ET

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