Miami Marlins' Connor Norby Facing Injury Scare After Exiting Spring Training Game

Connor Norby felt side tightness after sliding in safely for a triple on Saturday, bringing the Miami Marlins third baseman's Opening Day status into question.
Jupiter, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby (1) throws to first base and retires New York Mets designated hitter Chris Williams (not pictured) during the third inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Jupiter, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby (1) throws to first base and retires New York Mets designated hitter Chris Williams (not pictured) during the third inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
In this story:

Miami Marlins infielder Connor Norby left Saturday's spring training contest against the Houston Astros with left side tightness, manager Clayton McCullough told reporters after the game.

Norby suffered the injury sliding into third base on a two-out triple in the top of the second inning. Echedry Vargas came in as a pinch runner, marking the end of Norby's day.

The 24-year-old has been labeled as day-to-day as he heads back to Miami for further evaluation.

Norby is expected to serve as the Marlins' everyday third baseman in 2025, although his status has been brought into question with Opening Day less than a week out.

The former top prospect came over in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles at last summer's deadline. Upon getting promoted, Norby set a franchise record by racking up nine extra-base hits through his first 12 games in Miami.

Norby hit .247 with a .760 OPS in a Marlins uniform last season, notching seven home runs, eight doubles, 17 RBIs, three stolen bases and a 0.2 WAR in 36 games. He is a career .294 hitter with an .867 OPS in Triple-A, averaging 28 home runs, 44 doubles, 107 RBI and 15 stolen bases per 162 games at that level.

Miami has two spring training games remaining – one on Sunday against the New York Mets and another against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. They are slated to open the regular season Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Related MLB Stories

  • KIRK INKS EXTENSION: Catcher Alejandro Kirk was set to hit free agency after next season, until he signed a five-year contract to remain with the Blue Jays. CLICK HERE
  • JONES DEALT BACK TO CLE: The Rockies have agreed to trade outfielder Nolan Jones back to the Guardians in exchange for utility man Tyler Freeman. CLICK HERE
  • BÁEZ BOUNCING AROUND: Javier Báez, who has almost exclusively played shortstop in his MLB career, is set to man center field for the Tigers on Saturday. CLICK HERE

Follow Fastball On SI on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.


Published
Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's All Bruins, 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' Bruin Blitz, the Bleav Podcast Network and the Daily Bruin, with his work as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk.