Slater's Marlins tenure ends as speedster Esteury Ruiz nears debut, injecting new life into the lineup.
With an outfield bit by the injury bug entering opening day, veteran outfielder Austin Slater was brought in as a last-minute signing for two reasons. He was there to fill a spot in right field and provide a matchup advantage against left-handed pitching at the top of the Miami Marlins' lineup.
After four weeks with the team, the experiment has run its course. The Marlins have designated Slater for assignment, as reported by Marlins.TV's Craig Mish on Wednesday, following Miami's 4-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Slaters usually batted leadoff against left-handed starting pitchers. The 33-year-old outfielder collected four hits in 23 at-bats through 12 games. He went hitless in 10 of those games. Slater signed with the Marlins for $1 million, but has an advanced concentration in his deal in which Miami only pays a pro-rated amount for his one month with the club.
Fish on First reported on Wednesday that speedy outfielder Esteury Ruiz is to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list and ready to join the team at San Francisco on Friday.
The Marlins traded for Ruiz over the offseason with the expectation of utilizing his speed at the top of the lineup, especially after stealing 63 bases in the minors last year, 83 bases in 2022, and 67 bases in his only full MLB season in 2023.
Ruiz led off for Triple-A Jacksonville and hit a home run in his fifth minor league rehab assignment game on Wednesday.
The Marlins can soon expect first baseman Christopher Morel to return to the fold after completing his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville, which started on Tuesday. Morel went to the injured list after being scratched from the Opening Day lineup due to an oblique injury.
The Marlins signed Morel to a one-year deal hoping to capitalize on 2026 being a bounce-back season for him after only hitting 11 home runs in 105 games with the Tampa Bay Rays the previous year. He broke out in 2023 with 26 home runs with the Chicago Cubs.
The Marlins have been able to put up some runs this season but their 16 home runs are among the fewest in baseball. They benefit from the return of Kyle Stowers and could use Morel in the lineup as well.
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said during his pregame press conference on Tuesday that he caught up with Morel in Jupiter before the first baseman went to Jacksonville and that “he was in good spirits.”
“He was very pleased with the progression and how he was, so I know he was chomping at the bit to get out,” McCullough said. “It's hard to believe opening day [how] it went down. Chris was bummed, but now that's beyond him, and he's getting closer. So anticipate that he's in a good spot to be able to make it through this rehab.”
Connor Norby moved into first base from third this season in Morel’s absence and has been a solid bat recently, with a .280 average and a pair of home runs in the past 15 games. Even though he can play other positions, Morel will move back into first base once he’s ready.
“I don't think we'll ask Chris on this rehab to go play some third base,” McCullough said. “It'll be first-base action. And then, if and when Chris is back with us, we'll figure out the dynamic here.”
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