How does the Marlins’ 40-man roster stack up for the series with the Cubs?

Last week, I looked at the Cardinals pitching staff as their Wrigley series approached. I didn’t with the Mets series in Citi Field, but I’ve decided to do a moderately deep dive on the Marlins before the Cubs host them at Wrigley Field this weekend. The good news is, the Marlins are struggling. The bad news is, any series against the Marlins tends to flow counter to logic. They finished a three-game set with St. Louis on Wednesday. As such, the Cubs face a rested team. How about their injury status?

In a year where quite a few teams have had injury concerns, count the Marlins among them. They have had just three pitchers start more than five games. Cody Poteet, who has started exactly five, is on the injured list as of Friday morning. Of their reliable trio of starters, Trevor Rogers (14 starts, 1.98 ERA) started on Tuesday. If he comes back on normal rest, he could pitch on Sunday. Standing 9½ games out of first in mid-June, I’m not sure if they’ll go with him, or use a fifth starter du jour on Sunday. Sandy Alcántara started on Wednesday, so he’s rather unlikely for the series. Which leaves Pablo Lopez (currently scheduled for Saturday) and a degree of uncertainty.

As far as the rest of their pitching staff, Yimi Garcia seems a decent enough closer. Old friends Dylan Floro and Anthony Bass appear to be Miami’s leverage guys. As far as minor-league call-up options, Sixto Sanchez is on the 7-day injured list in Triple-A. Edward Cabrera is in Low-A, despite being on their 40-man roster. Braxton Garrett (5.56 MLB ERA this season in 11⅓ innings) would be the most likely call-up.

Position players Corey Dickerson and Jose Devers were recently placed on the Injured List. If they need anyone between now and Sunday, three hitters are on their 40-man, but not on their 26-man roster. One is Chad Wallach, who is active on the Jacksonville Triple-A roster. Outfielder Jerar Encarnacion is playing for Wichita, in Double-A. Triple-A outfielder Monte Harrison is on the 7-day Triple-A injured list. The Marlins worked around this by summoning infielder Deven Marrero from Triple-A on Wednesday.

Outfielder Jesus Sanchez was recently called up with Dickerson’s injury. The injury placement of Devers led to infielder Brian Anderson getting bumped to the 60-day list. Injuries are tough all over. Everyone has difficult decisions to make. Any pending pitching suspensions, beginning on the 21st, won’t make choices easier. If the Cubs play well and stay healthy against Miami, they should be fine.