Photo by Joseph Guzy/Marlins Several key members of the Marlins’ present and future have been preparing behind the scenes for the 2020 season. When will we finally see them perform in games? The first four Marlins Spring Training games have served as a solid preview of the 2020 team. Not the “We’re gonna go undefeated!” part, just in terms of showcasing all of the faces who could have an impact during the upcoming season. Of the 65 players participating in camp—including major league veterans, top prospects and vagabond non-roster invitees—we’ve seen 54 of them used in Grapefruit League competition. So who’s missing? The following article provides some status updates on the other 11 and explains what’s at stake for them over the next month. RHP Jeff Brigham—Best-case scenario, Brigham could emerge as the Marlins’ relief ace. But first, he must actually lock up a spot on the Opening Day roster. That means demonstrating the same high-90s fastball velocity he had a year ago and throwing more first-pitch strikes (the results themselves are far less important). The 28-year-old has a pair of minor league options remaining. RHP Pablo López—The Venezuelan right-hander gets the start Wednesday afternoon vs. the Cardinals. Expect him to be on the mound for two innings of work. In the equivalent of one full MLB campaign (31 starts), López has performed at approximately a league average level for the Fish: 4.76 ERA/4.35 FIP/4.30 xFIP, 2.0 fWAR. And he still has the upside to get better. Health permitting, he’s in the 2020 starting rotation. LHP Caleb Smith—Judging by his MLB Network interview on Monday, Dr. K is in good spirits! Similar to López in that his role on the club is already determined yet he’s motivated to shake off concerns about his lack of durability and consistency. Still awaiting details about his Grapefruit League debut. It is possible that Smith begins building up his stamina on the backfields in simulated games instead. RHP Drew Steckenrider—More than six months removed from arthroscopic right elbow surgery, Steckenrider has thrown bullpen sessions at Marlins camp. He should be appearing in organized contests in the immediate future. Coming off a miserable 2019, his chances at an Opening Day relief job are a coin flip. RHP Edward Cabrera—Combining the rankings of a half-dozen renowned talent evaluators, Cabrera is the No. 70 overall prospect in Major League Baseball. Statistically dominant during his age-21 season and just as exceptional in live looks, he has the ceiling to not only crack the Marlins rotation someday but lead it. However, given his lack of significant high minors experience and modest personal best of 100 1?3 innings pitched, putting him in official games isn’t the top priority this spring. JJ Bleday / Edward Cabrera. Round 1 #Marlins @Prospects365 pic.twitter.com/Vlkze7Uvki— Ian Smith (@FlaSmitty) February 23, 2020 Some more live BP from this morning JJ Bleday / Edward Cabrera. Round ? Cabrera faced Bleday, Monte Harrison and Jerar Encarnacion each twice. He was untouchable. #Marlins pic.twitter.com/iT4Y0wu1M6— Ian Smith (@FlaSmitty) February 24, 2020 C Santiago Chávez—Chávez is your prototypical defensive-minded, light-hitting catcher. He’s building camaraderie with the Double-A/Triple-A arms on the backfields considering that where he will be deployed this season. Lifetime 47.5% caught stealing rate! LHP Braxton Garrett—The developmental plan for the former first-round draft pick is very straightforward: he’ll head out to Jacksonville at the end of March. In the meantime, aside from training to defend his ping pong champion crown, Garrett recognizes his path to a long big league career is refining his changeup to complement the rest of his repertoire. Pay close attention to his attack plan against right-handed batters when he gets his feet wet in the Grapefruit League. RHP Humberto Mejía—The Marlins felt compelled to protect Mejía on the 40-man roster, releasing Wei-Yin Chen in November to make room. That does not mean he’s on the verge of making it to Miami, though. The soon-to-be 23-year-old is slated to lead the Jupiter Hammerheads staff and prove that his knack for generating weak contact is sustainable. OF Jesús Sánchez—Craig Mish of Swings and Mishes reports that Sánchez is on the verge of finally taking the field in 2020. He was not fully healthy over the offseason, which may have affected his readiness for game action. RHP Sixto Sánchez—Those composite prospect rankings cited earlier peg Sixto as baseball’s 32nd-best young talent. The J.T. Realmuto trade centerpiece was exactly as advertised during his first season with the organization (2.76 ERA/2.81 FIP/2.96 xFIP in 114.0 IP). “Since it worked before, the Marlins will once again build Sanchez up slowly for the regular season,” in the words of MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. RHP Ryan Cook—A real injury concern with real ramifications! Don Mattingly says that Cook (bruised right toe) will be spending one week in a walking boot (h/t Joe Frisaro). The non-roster invitee who has returned stateside after a season in Japan probably won’t have enough time to make his case for belonging on the Opening Day roster. The Marlins and Ryan Cook have agreed to a minor league deal. Here is his pitch mix. All examples from 2018 (vs. some pretty good hitters!)1. four-seamer2. slider3. sinker4. changeup pic.twitter.com/bONjjoDfPz— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) January 8, 2020

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images Weekly, we take a look around the SB Nation family of NFL blogs. Here are the news stories and analysis they are discussing. AFC EAST: New England Patriots (via Pats Pulpit) Patriots, Tom Brady’s camp expected to start contract talks this week - Pats PulpitWith free agency only three weeks away, the two sides will kick off talks at the scouting combine. New York Jets (via Gang Green Nation) Jets Sign WR Josh Doctson - Gang Green NationThe New York Jets have signed free agent wide receiver Josh Doctson. Josh Doctson is a 27 year old, 6’ 2", 210 pound wide receiver originally drafted by the Washington Redskins with the 22nd... Buffalo Bills (via Buffalo Rumblings) Opinion: Buffalo Bills should forego free-agent wide receiver to add via 2020 NFL Draft - Buffalo RumblingsThe Draft is stocked with talent. AFC NORTH: Baltimore Ravens (via Baltimore Beatdown) Rumor: Ravens discussing pre-draft trade involving TE Hayden Hurst - Baltimore BeatdownThe former first-round pick could be shipping up to Boston or down to Florida Pittsburgh Steelers (via Behind the Steel Curtain) Is a Steelers Jalen Hurts-Matt Canada offense coming after Big Ben? - Behind the Steel CurtainAre the Steelers preparing themselves for life after Ben Roethlisberger? Cincinnati Bengals (via Cincy Jungle) Joe Burrow won’t throw or workout at Combine; Clears up ‘leverage’ comment - Cincy JungleJoe Burrow won’t be throwing or working out at the NFL Combine, and that is him using his leverage. Cleveland Browns (via Dawgs By Nature) Cleveland Browns: 4 items for Andrew Berry’s offseason checklist - Dawgs By NatureBrowns general manager has a busy couple of months ahead of him as he looks to clean up the mess of 2019. AFC SOUTH: Houston Texans (via Battle Red Blog) Bill Barnwell: Five Offseason Moves For The Texans - Battle Red BlogA professional football man does some professional football writing about your favorite professional football team. Tennessee Titans (via Music City Miracles) 2020 NFL mock draft EDGE rusher in every round for Titans - Music City MiraclesThe Titans enter the 2020 NFL draft with a need to get more athletic on the edges. They went through a bit of a transition period with the 2019 season being the first time in a long time that D... Jacksonville Jaguars (via Big Cat Country) Jaguars to decline Marcell Dareus final-year option - Big Cat CountryAn expected event, the Jaguars made a move for cap-space today by voiding Dareus’ final season. Indianapolis Colts (via Stampede Blue) Jim Irsay on the Colts’ future at quarterback — ‘all options open’ - Stampede BlueImpromptu press conferences don’t drum up particularly pleasant memories in Indianapolis. You can forgive the Colts fan base for holding its breath then when Zak Keefer announced Saturday morning... AFC WEST: Denver Broncos (via Mile High Report) Vic Fangio to keep Broncos assistant coaches from NFL Combine - Mile High ReportTime will tell how this decision plays out for the Broncos. Los Angeles Chargers (via Bolts from the Blue) Why it makes sense for Chargers to franchise tag Hunter Henry - Bolts From The BlueThe LA Chargers have only used the franchise tag once in the last decade, when GM Tom Telesco felt it was his best chance to retain edge rusher Melvin Ingram in 2017. As one of the NFL’s most... Oakland Raiders (via Silver and Black Pride) Options at quarterback IF Derek Carr is traded - Silver And Black PrideThey say where there is smoke there is fire, and the rumors surrounding the possibility of Derek Carr being traded are really heating up. Just this week Raiders beat writer for the Las Vegas Review... Kansas City Chiefs (via Arrowhead Pride) What Chiefs HC Andy Reid can do to help make Eric Bieniemy a head coach - Arrowhead PrideAfter two offseasons of interviews, the Chiefs offensive coordinator hasn’t been offered a job he deserves. What can Reid do to help him achieve his goal? NFC EAST: New York Giants (via Big Blue View) 2020 NFL free agency: Should Giants reunite with Prince Amukamara? - Big Blue ViewA good veteran cornerback would be a nice addition Philadelphia Eagles (via Bleeding Green Nation) Combine preview: Former Eagles scout discusses wide receiver and cornerback options for Philadelphia in the 2020 NFL Draft - Bleeding Green NationEvery year, the NFL Network makes their top draft analyst available to reporters via conference call directly ahead of the NFL Combine. Mike Mayock used to handle these duties but now it’s former P... Dallas Cowboys (via Blogging the Boys) Stephen Jones talks conversation with Amari Cooper and agent at the Super Bowl, and Dak Prescott situation - Blogging The BoysThe latest on Amari Cooper and the Cowboys contract talks, plus some more Dak Prescott. Washington Redskins (via Hogs Haven) Redskins Mock Draft Scenario - Hogs HavenA look at a possible Redskins mock draft scenario NFC NORTH: Green Bay Packers (via Acme Packing Company) The Packers should have an eye on the future at running back in 2020 - Acme Packing CompanyBoth Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones are scheduled to enter contract years in 2020. Detroit Lions (via Pride of Detroit) Danny Amendola re-signs with Lions in ‘Detroit vs. Everyone’ sweatshirt - Pride Of DetroitAmendola has fully adopted Detroit culture. Chicago Bears (via Windy City Gridiron) Mocking the Mocks: Bears go OL and CB in this latest from The Draft Network - Windy City GridironWe examine the latest mock draft from The Draft Network’s Joe Marino. Minnesota Vikings (via Daily Norseman) Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Anthony Harris - Daily NorsemanLooking at upcoming roster positions on key personnel NFC SOUTH: New Orleans Saints (via Canal Street Chronicles) Alvin Kamara to hold out to start the 2020 season? - Canal Street ChroniclesLet’s hope not. Atlanta Falcons (via The Falcoholic) Report: Falcons will pick up Matt Schaub’s contract option - The FalcoholicSchaub still could lose out on the battle to Danny Etling or Kurt Benkert, but he’ll at least be here to push for the job again. Carolina Panthers (via Cat Scratch Reader) Have the Panthers committed to Cam Newton? - Cat Scratch ReaderProbably not, but all signs are positive for his 2020 return Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Bucs Nation) Mock Draft Monitor: Nobody agrees about what the Bucs will do - Bucs NationFive mocks, each with a different outcome for Tampa Bay in 2020 NFC WEST: San Francisco 49ers (via Niners Nation) 49ers free agency: The team doesn’t need outside free agents with all of the talent in their backyward - Niners NationLet’s keep this thing together and make 2020 even better Arizona Cardinals (via Revenge of the Birds) Arizona Cardinals have uphill battle to go from worst to first in NFC West - Revenge of the BirdsThe slow build or rebuild of the Arizona Cardinals is in year two of what should have been a three-year rebuild. That’s what happens when you botch year one of the rebuild and now instead of... Seattle Seahawks (via Field Gulls) Here’s why the Seattle Seahawks could sign Breshad Perriman in free agency - Field GullsIn our 2020 iteration of Finding Free Agents, we’ll attempt to answer three questions for each player: Why would the Seahawks be interested? What would their contract look like? What is the... Los Angeles Rams (via Turf Show Times) REPORT: LA Rams in lead to acquire Detroit Lions CB Darius Slay - Turf Show TimesHow? Don’t doubt Les Snead, that’s how.

Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images The Miami Heat will get their first true look at Luka Doncic this season. 28.8 PPG / 9.5 RPG / 8.6 APG That right there is the season stat line for second year forward Luka Doncic. And for the first time this season, the Miami Heat are going to get a real good look at what it takes to defend this young but tremendous player. The Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks earlier this season on the road but Doncic was hurt in the opening minutes of the game and didn’t return. Now, things will be different. The Heat will have Jimmy Butler to be the primary defender on Doncic but they will also be able to throw Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and Derrick Jones Jr. at him. Hopefully Duncan Robinson doesn’t get switched onto him too much. It’s going to be a great game because just like the Heat are in a logjam battle for seeding in the East, the Mavs are in the same situation in the West. They currently sit at 7th, but just a few games separate them from 3-4th in the West. All that to say...there’s a lot to play for on Friday night. And if you want to be there, we’ve got you covered. YOU CAN BUY TICKETS ON STUB HUB RIGHT HEREVox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. Here’s two intriguing matchups... #1 Jimmy Butler vs Luka DoncicLuka is not an easy guard, but there is no one in the league who would relish the chance to put a damper on his production more than Jimmy Butler. For all we know, Butler should be well rested and ready for a great battle, although much of this will depend on how the Heat defend his pick and roll action. #2 Kristaps Porzingis vs Bam AdebayoBam will be completely oversized here, but the challenge will be if Porzingis can really pick up Bam in transition. With Adebayo often taking the rebound and pushing the ball, Kristaps isn’t the quickest runner up and down the court. This is a game you will want to be at...or at the very least be tuning in locally with Fox Sports.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. Chris Grier and Brian Flores met with the media yesterday at the NFL Combine. We didn’t learn much as both men gave the usual answers and wouldn’t reveal their evil plan to take over the NFL. Grier reiterated that they’ll be able to do whatever they want in the draft and wouldn’t rule out trading up for a player in the first round. Flores gave out traits he is looking for in players and was able to discuss about some of the coaching changes that his staff underwent since the end of the season. You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below. Adapt Or Die: Brian Flores Talks Changes In IndianapolisBrian Flores discussed the Dolphins' changes to the coaching staff at the Combine. Chris Grier At Combine: Dolphins Want 'To Continue Building'General Manager Chris Grier began his media session Tuesday at the Combine with a similar message from the year prior. Dolphins Coaching Staff Miami Dolphins suddenly in market for receivers/assistant head coach - Sports - The Palm Beach Post - West Palm Beach, FLWith Karl Dorrell leaving to coach at Colorado, the Dolphins need a wide receivers coach, and the role of assistant head coach is in flux. Dolphins Quarterbacks NFL Combine: Quarterback Joe Burrow meets with Miami DolphinsJoe Burrow, who led LSU to the national championship, is expected to go No. 1 in the NFL Draft to Cincinnati. But could Miami snatch him up? NFL Scouting Combine: Tua Tagovailoa dishes on Miami Dolphins, long day with doctors - Sports - The Palm Beach Post - West Palm Beach, FLTua Tagovailoa’s hip and ankles are under extreme scrutiny in Indy Phinsider News You May Have Missed Miami Dolphins News 2/25/20: Combine Kicks Off Dolphins Offseason - The PhinsiderWelcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. Dan Kadar: Miami Dolphins find a quarterback of the future in latest mock draft - The PhinsiderSB Nation’s Dan Kadar has Miami fans landing their quarterback of the future in his latest mock.