Conine Ready to Contribute For Marlins After Injury Setbacks

Miami Marlins outfielder and first baseman Griffin Conine would be the first to tell you his major league career has been a roller coaster so far, with its share of highs and lows, along with a few twists and turns.

The highest of those highs came Aug. 27, 2024, at Coors Field, when Conine smacked a stand-up triple off former Marlins right-hander Cal Quantrill with his family in attendance to share the special moment.

Unfortunately, the injury bug has slowed Conine's progress and prevented him from finding consistent playing time during his first two seasons with the club.

In 2025, a non-playoff season for Miami, Conine suffered a season-ending injury to his left shoulder while attempting to slide into second base. He returned later in the season in September.

This season has been unique for Conine, who was told by manager Clayton McCullough during the offseason that he would like to see him work at first base during spring training — something he had never done in his career but a position his father, Jeff, played.

In an April 9 game against the Cincinnati Reds at loanDepot park, Conine once again found himself facing the worst-case scenario.

Hoping to make a diving catch in left field, Conine instead left the game early after landing awkwardly.

It was revealed a few days later that Conine would have to undergo surgery to repair a torn left hamstring, an injury that would sideline him for six to eight weeks.

Now back, healthy and feeling like himself again, Conine is fully prepared to help guide the Marlins, who entered Friday 10 games above .500, to their first postseason berth under McCullough and first since 2023.

"I think it's ups and downs for sure. I think, like Colorado, I thought I was back, like, back fully, but that's also a pitching staff where you're not getting, you know, challenged heavily," Conine said Friday after finishing a triple shy of the cycle.

"I think I got a lot of off-speed there, so I think Sacramento exposed me a little bit, 'cause they had good fastballs, and I just wasn't on fastball timing, basically," he added. 

With right fielder Owen Caissie placed on the 10-day injured list Friday because of a right calf strain, Conine should see more time in right field alongside a mix of Esteury Ruiz, who started Friday; Heriberto Hernández, Friday’s starter in left field; and Kyle Stowers, who has seen significant time at first base.

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