Luis Arraez Once Again Out of the Lineup as Miami Marlins Hope to Clinch Playoff Berth

Star second baseman Luis Arraez pinch hit Friday night despite his nagging ankle injury, but he is not in the Miami Marlins' starting lineup Saturday.

Luis Arraez just helped spark a miraculous comeback for the Miami Marlins with a postseason bid at stake, but he won't be in the starting lineup Saturday.

Arraez got an at-bat as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, converting with a single to spark a go-ahead four-run rally, although a pinch-runner took his place the moment he got on base. The star second baseman had missed six of Miami's previous eight games due to a lingering ankle injury.

Manager Skip Schumaker submitted his lineup card Saturday afternoon, and Arraez wasn't on it. Jorge Soler will be the team's starting designated hitter, while Jon Berti will get the nod at second.

It remains to be seen if Arraez will available off the bench again.

First pitch between the Marlins and Pirates is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET.

While Pittsburgh doesn't have much at stake, Miami is on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. The Marlins, sitting at 83-76, currently hold the third and final NL Wild Card spot, and a win Saturday would officially punch their ticket to the postseason.

However, the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are breathing down the Marlins' neck, trailing by just 1.5 games.

Miami has two games left in its series with the Pirates, followed by a matchup with the New York Mets on Monday. The game was suspended in the ninth inning Thursday with the Marlins leading 2-1.

Miami would surely appreciate having Arraez back for this final playoff push, as well as the postseason itself, should they get there.

Arraez is batting .354 with 203 hits, 10 home runs, 69 RBI and an .861 OPS this season. The 26-year-old two-time All-Star is on pace to win his second consecutive batting title after doing so with the Minnesota Twins in 2022.

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