Latest on Marlins’ search to replace unavailable players

2:56 p.m. ET Update

Although “most” infected Marlins players are asymptomatic, others have exhibited a runny nose, coughing and soreness due to COVID-19, according to WPLG Local 10’s Will Manso. Fish Stripes wishes them full recoveries and hopes there are no lasting effects that could jeopardize their careers.

Yet another Marlins player received a COVID-positive diagnosis on Wednesday, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. That marks the fourth consecutive day of new positives and brings their total up to 16 player cases on this road trip alone.

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Just hours ago, Juan Páez suggested that the Marlins look towards MLB free agency for solutions to their decimated roster. The club’s first pick-up from that crop of talent will be infielder Logan Forsythe, according to Craig Mish.

The 33-year-old Forsythe was released by the Phillies near the end of Summer Camp. Prior to that, he spent much of the previous decade as a versatile, near-league-average bat (.246/.327/.370, 94 wRC+, 70 HR in 958 career games). Forsythe was at his best with the Rays from 2014-2016—that stint included a 2015 campaign where he produced 4.1 fWAR.

The Marlins are scrambling to replace (at least) 15 players who recently tested positive for COVID-19. As of late Wednesday morning, the confirmed names are Sandy Alcantara, Jorge Alfaro, Garrett Cooper, Harold Ramirez, Miguel Rojas and José Ureña. Once players are placed on the injured list due to the virus, they do not count against 40-man roster/60-man player pool limits.

Miami has already claimed three players off waivers, all of whom are headed straight to active duty, Jon Heyman reports. I would expect them to seriously consider the seven others who are currently available on the wire because there is an emphasis on individuals who can contribute immediately. The Marlins season could resume as soon as next Monday (Aug. 3) and it’s doubtful that any of their recently infected players will be ready to go.

Meanwhile, some reinforcements will come internally from the club’s player pool. Outfielders Lewis Brinson and Matt Joyce were placed on the injured list weeks ago with what were believed to be positive COVID-19 tests (never confirmed, though). Both are now “close to returning,” per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Frisaro also identifies right-hander Jordan Yamamoto and infielder/feel-good story Eddy Álvarez as potential fits under these circumstances.

Worth noting, the MLB active roster limit will be shrinking from 30 spots to 28 on Aug. 6. The Marlins don’t necessarily need to find 30 players considering how few games they’ll have between now and then.