The Marlins announced that catcher/first baseman Liam Hicks has been placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 20) due to a lower back strain. Catcher Brian Navarreto was selected from Triple-A to take Hicks’ spot on the active roster, and Miami moved Josh Ekness from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL to open a spot for Navaretto on the 40-man roster.
Hicks’ bad back made him a late scratch from Saturday’s lineup, and the Marlins waited until within a half-hour of their first pitch against the Giants today to announce Hicks’ IL placement. That could be a mechanic of needing to confirm that Navarreto could get to Miami in time, or perhaps a sign that the Marlins were still weighing whether or not Hicks would be okay to play. It seems like caution won out, and Hicks will now get over a week to fully heal up.
After hitting a respectable .247/.346/.346 over 390 plate appearances in his 2025 rookie season, Hicks’ breakout has been one of the bright spots of Miami’s 2026 campaign. Hicks is batting .278/.359/.472 with 13 homers over 288 PA, for a 128 wRC+. It seemed like Hicks was coming back to earth in May, but he resumed crushing the ball in June, as Hicks had a .993 OPS over his last 43 trips to the plate.
Since top prospect Joe Mack was called up to the majors, the Marlins have frequently been using Hicks at first baseman and DH in order to keep his bat in the lineup, as Mack has been getting more of the reps behind the plate. Navarreto should take on a more standard backup role behind Mack, and the returning Griffin Conine could get some extra time at DH or even at first base in Hicks’ absence.
Navarreto made his MLB debut in the form of two games with the Marlins in 2020, and he didn’t make it back to the Show until he got into eight games with Miami last year. In between those two cups of coffee, Navarreto played in the Brewers’ farm system when he wasn’t in the Marlins’ affiliates. Navarreto has three minor league options remaining, so Miami could just send him down to Triple-A (rather than designating him assignment) once Hicks is able to return.
Ekness was placed on the 15-day IL at the start of June, and today’s news indicates that Ekness’ calf strain is a more severe type that will require a lengthy recovery period. The right-hander now won’t be eligible to return until the start of August at the earliest. Ekness made his Major League debut this season, and he has a 1.69 ERA (though five walks and five strikeouts) over his first 5 1/3 innings as a big leaguer.
