Miami Marlins already plagued by injuries

It is way too early to be concerned.

Miami has only played a few spring games and it is too soon to be worried. However, spring games are used to evaluate talent and settle competitions. The Marlins might have to wait a bit longer before beginning the evaluation process.

It started with Carter Capps, thought to be a candidate to compete for the closing job. Capps reportedly suffered from elbow pain early last week and was carefully examined. He met with Dr. James Andrews Monday and underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery Tuesday.

Jarred Cosart rolled his knee during Friday's contest against the Nationals. Cosart is hoping to earn a rotation spot after spending the majority of the 2015 campaign on the disabled list with vertigo symptoms. He remained in the game and appeared to be OK, but it is still something that should be monitored.

A.J. Ramos has not pitched this spring because of a calf injury, according to Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald. If Capps is not healthy to begin the year, Ramos almost certainly will be the club's closer. But he too has to remain healthy.

Just when it appeared the Marlins were momentarily done dealing with injuries, Spencer reported Monday that Giancarlo Stanton would not make the trip to Viera as a result of soreness in his right knee. That is the same knee Stanton had chips removed from in 2012.

Since it is still so early, the Marlins are rightfully being cautious. However, the number of injuries is also alarming.

The Marlins appear set to turn the page with Don Mattingly at the helm. They have spoken so much about improved clubhouse culture and chemistry. That can only do so much, though, when the majority of their major league talent is not healthy.

Spring Training is just underway and there is still plenty of time for the injured Marlins to get healthy. But for a club that has been plagued by injuries over the last few seasons, depth could be tested early.

Miami does not have a notable amount of outfield depth, as was evident when Christian Yelich got hurt early in 2015. If Stanton ends up injured, Ichiro Suzuki and Cole Gillespie are probably the only realistic replacements.

In the bullpen, the Marlins would be forced to turn to young and inexperienced arms. There might be some better alternatives for the starting rotation.

It is too early to be concerned. But at this point, the Marlins are having difficulty remaining healthy.