Marlins Manager Reveals to Reporters His Starting Shortstop

The Miami Marlins have a newly reconstituted infield this season, with the additions of batting champion Luis Arraez at second base and Jean Segura at third. But who plays short, after the offseason trade of Miguel Rojas? 

Over the weekend, new manager Skip Schumaker made it clear:

I asked Skip about the shortstop position. “Wendle is our guy.” No platoon to begin the season. Skip mentioned Amaya multiple times as someone who he is excited to see eventually. Berti could also see time at short. #Marlins pic.twitter.com/cvIIodMpVn

— Isaac Azout (@IsaacAzout) February 10, 2023

Joey Wendle is gonna be our guy... (He's) our shortstop.

That's the word from Schumaker for any who still doubted the team's plans at the keystone. Wendle split his time evenly last season in his first year with the Marlins between second base, shortstop and third base. He did a fine job in his 34 games at SS, recording six Defensive Runs Saved. 

He's played just 89 career games at short, however, compared to over 200 at each of 2B and 3B. 

Schumaker is also very interested in top prospect Jacob Amaya, and mentioned Jon Berti as a possibility at times. Segura has played plenty of short in his career, but he'll man the hot corner most games.

Wendle finished his first season in Miami with a .259 average and a .658 OPS, numbers that were down a bit from his career marks. 

Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports