The Marlins are about to get an All-Star back in their lineup, as manager Clayton McCullough told reporters (including Kevin Barral of Fish On First) that Kyle Stowers will be activated from the 10-day injured list before Sunday’s game with the Brewers. MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola wrote earlier today that Stowers is already at loanDepot Park but would probably get one final day of rest and examination before making his 2026 debut tomorrow.
Right hamstring tightness bothered Stowers for most of Spring Training, and he left one of the Marlins’ final Grapefruit League games with a Grade 1 hamstring strain that required a season-opening IL stint. The recovery period was initially estimated at 3-4 weeks, so Stowers will indeed make it back on the higher end of that projected timeline.
Stowers’ rehab assignment at Triple-A Jacksonville lasted five games, with three played in his usual left field position, one game at DH, and one game at first base. This marked Stowers’ pro debut as a first baseman, though he spent a bit of time at the position in college and in summer ball action (the West Coast League and Cape Cod League). McCullough recently indicated that Stowers might get some prep work at first base just in case the Marlins decide to incorporate him into the first base mix at the MLB level, both to help Miami out at a trouble position and to give Stowers some time at a lower-intensity position.
Stowers is the most high-profile of the five position players on Miami’s injured list, though Christopher Morel‘s absence due to an oblique strain has been the major cause of the team’s revolving door at first base. While the Marlins’ roster has been a little short-handed, the team’s offense hasn’t much suffered, as Xavier Edwards, Otto Lopez, Liam Hicks, and Connor Norby are all off to hot starts.
Needless to say, getting Stowers back will be a huge boost. Sunday will mark Stowers’ first MLB game since August 15, as his breakout 2025 campaign was cut short by an oblique strain. Stowers’ first full season in Miami saw him hit .288/.368/.544 with 25 home runs over 457 plate appearances, and he generated 4.0 fWAR over only 117 games.
The corresponding move for Stowers remains to be seen. Graham Pauley left yesterday’s game due to oblique discomfort and isn’t in today’s starting lineup, but McCullough told Barral and company that Pauley is expected “to be available today for whatever is needed.”
They are getting good pitching on the farm. A big return for Alcantara is in the cards.
If they trade him to the AL, Houston would be in, Detroit, Angels shouldnt be in but are, Orioles could shock and unload another huge stack, Toronto, Boston too if Crochet’s harboring an injury.
Marlins strategy is playing out. Id say they are already forecasting a Eury Perez trade down the line and will be seeking a pair of starting pitching prospects plus for Sandy Alcantara.
Astros:
Bryce Mayer (R)
Ryan Forcucci (R)
Tigers:
Kelvis Saucedo (R)
Ben Jacobs (L)
Orioles:
Esteban Mejia (R)
Boston Bateman (L)
Angels:
Chase Shores (R)
Johnny Slawinski (L)
Red Sox:
Kyson Witherspoon (R)
JoJo Ingrassia (L)
Toronto:
Seojun Moon (R)
Johnny King (L)
That would be the R/L duo Id target from each team.
Houston is eliminated for not having a single decent LHP prospect in their farm system. Of course, I could be wrong about that, I made my selections using Fangraphs and scouting reports. I haven’t watched any tape on most of these players. I did watch some tape on Witherspoon and Bateman and liked both prospects.
I think its a stack well beyond the pitching prospects but to get any one of these duos would be a nice start.
Angels shouldnt make the trade and should keep Slawinski and Shores. They need to sign Adell.
I’d narrow it down to Boston, Toronto and Baltimore for Alcantara if they trade him to the AL.
Cubs, Pirates, Mets, Padres, Giants all could be in on Alcanatara. A trade to the NL isnt out of the question.
Going to be an interesting trade. Teams with their eyes on Alcanatara have to be making this trade as soon as possible.