With Tim Anderson on the bereavement list and away from the Marlins, Xavier Edwards has the chance to start at shortstop in this weekend’s games against the Guardians. Manager Skip Schumaker believes Edwards “deserves” this opportunity, stating, “He’s earned the right to start up here at the big-league level.” Edwards went 0 for 3 with a walk on Friday, and 1 for 3 with another walk on Saturday in an 8-0 loss at loanDepot park. The Guardians scored six runs in the fifth inning, handing the Marlins their fifth loss in six games.
Edwards’ recall from Triple A Jacksonville for this series marked the end of a challenging recovery from an infected left foot in March, which sidelined him for weeks. Schumaker noted there were likely “some dark days” for the 24-year-old, adding humorously that Edwards was probably more upset about not being able to play ping-pong than missing spring training games. During his recovery, Edwards focused on his mental game, saying, “I’m pretty big on the mental side. I care a lot about it.
I think if my head’s in the right place, then there’s nothing I can’t accomplish.” After completing a rehab assignment last month, Edwards played 13 games for Jacksonville, hitting .365 with an OPS of .892 and OBP of .411, and playing shortstop, his natural position. He excelled in his first major league game at shortstop on Friday, making a diving stop in the sixth inning. When Anderson returns, Edwards will likely be sent back to Jacksonville, but for now, he’s “just glad to be back here.” Schumaker praised Edwards, saying, “The kid went through a lot. But to his credit, he worked really hard to get back and he has shown what he can do when he’s healthy.”
In other news, Ryan Weathers was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left index finger strain after leaving Friday’s game in the third inning. Weathers had experienced nagging soreness in the finger and felt unusual pain after throwing his first breaking ball. Despite this setback, Schumaker is optimistic about Weathers’ recovery, saying, “As long as it’s not a surgery deal, I feel pretty good about it.”
Roddery Muñoz was recalled from Triple A Jacksonville on Saturday and started for the Marlins, pitching four-plus innings and allowing four earned runs on five hits. Muñoz surrendered two home runs and was replaced by Declan Cronin in the fifth inning. Emmanuel Rivera, a third baseman, pitched the ninth inning, allowing one hit and no runs.
