Miami Marlins place Matt Joyce, Lewis Brinson on 10-day I.L.

With two veterans on the I.L. to start the season, how will the Miami Marlins set their outfield for 2020?

The Miami Marlins will start the 2020 season without two outfielders who were expected to not only make the team but hopefully contribute on a consistent basis.

Both Matt Joyce and Lewis Brinson were placed on the 10-day I.L. for unspecific reasons.

According to MLB.com, “Neither has been seen participating so far in Summer Camp activities.”

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The decision to place both players on the I.L. opens the door for the possibility of two young prospects starting the season in Philadelphia when the Marlins face the Phillies in six days.

As Joe Frisaro pointed out, it does beg the question of how much the two players will help the organization this year. It also once again opens the door for speculation as to how much Brinson will be able to show his ability to play on the Major League level as he is running out of opportunities with the Miami Marlins organization.

“Brinson, especially, has been in the spotlight, because the organization has been evaluating what his future with the club would be. The 26-year-old was not projected to start in center field, regardless,” Frisaro adds.“But Brinson had a solid Spring Training, hitting .345 with three home runs in 13 Grapefruit League games.”

And because there has been plenty of concern that this might be his final chance to make a lasting impression on the front office and coaching staff, starting the season injured and away from the team could be detrimental, to say the least.

Joyce, who has signed as a free agent this offseason, figured to start in the outfield three or four days a week and contribute potentially in one of the corner spots. Because of the increased rosters this season in MLB, he was one of the players who would have made the 30-man roster and seen plenty of time in the field.

“Joyce, 35, was a candidate to be the Opening Day starter in right field,” Frisaro wrote. “The veteran signed with Miami as a free agent in February after hitting .295/.408/.450 with seven home runs across 238 plate appearances in a part-time role with the Braves last year.”

The Marlins could also take advantage of his leadership on the bench and in the clubhouse, this year as the front office looks to get younger in this shortened season.

Part of the issue manager Don Mattingly explained with the loss of the two players is they have fallen behind in getting in on the field in practice. It is something they both will have to work to make up for once they have been cleared to play this season.