In a rain-shortened 7-7 tie against the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins left fielder Kyle Stowers made his return from a hamstring injury during a split-squad Grapefruit League game on Saturday in Jupiter, Florida. Prospect Connor Norby also debuted at first base for the Marlins, handling the position smoothly in his first attempt there.
The game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium ended after eight innings due to rain, with both the Marlins and Cardinals scoring seven runs each in the split-squad matchup.
Stowers, sidelined since late February, appeared in his first Grapefruit League game of the spring. In three plate appearances, he reached base once via a walk in the third inning. From first base, he advanced to third on Xavier Edwards' single to right and scored on Connor Norby's single to center. Stowers noted his aggressive base running: “Pretty much any time the ball hits the dirt on the right side and goes through I'm going to push the envelope and be going.” He briefly stumbled rounding second base, but Marlins manager Clayton McCullough observed no lasting concern: “Once I saw him re-accelerate and continue on and get to third, he was fine.”
Prior to the injury, Stowers had played three spring games, recording one hit and two walks in nine plate appearances. McCullough expressed confidence in his readiness: “Opening day should not be an issue at all.” Stowers, 28, had a strong 2024 season with the Marlins, batting .288 with 25 home runs and 73 RBI, earning his first All-Star selection. McCullough added, “If last year is what Kyle does every year, we would take that.”
Acquired with Stowers in a July 2024 trade from Baltimore for Trevor Rogers, Norby tried first base for the first time in Grapefruit League play—and possibly ever. “I was trying to think about the last time I played first, and I don't think it was ever—not even in, like, when you're seven, eight years old,” Norby said. Primarily a third baseman with second-base experience, he fielded a routine grounder from Alec Burleson in the first inning and started a 3-6-3 double play in the second, scooping a throw from Cristian Hernandez. “It was a terrific play,” McCullough praised, noting Norby's comfort. The Marlins are testing versatility at first base, and McCullough plans outfield reps for Norby before spring ends.