The Miami Marlins have halted all baseball activities for infielder Graham Pauley because of persistent tightness in his forearm, team manager Clayton McCullough revealed earlier today, as reported by Kevin Barral of Fish On First. Pauley is undergoing imaging tests to determine the exact cause of the discomfort, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com, with further updates expected in the coming days. This development raises concerns about his availability for the upcoming season, given his role in the team’s lineup.
Pauley’s Role and Performance Prospects with the Marlins
At 25 years old, Pauley is poised to compete for the starting third baseman position for the Marlins this season. Acquired two years ago from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Tanner Scott, Pauley displayed solid defensive abilities and sustained a disciplined approach at the plate throughout his minor league career. While his offensive output in the majors last season was modest—batting .224 with a .311 on-base percentage and .366 slugging over 184 plate appearances—his Triple-A numbers were more promising, posting a .263/.342/.511 slash line with eight home runs and five stolen bases in 37 games.
Competition for Third Base Spot Intensifies with Connor Norby
Pauley’s main challenger for the third base assignment is Connor Norby, who also joined the Marlins through a trade involving Trevor Rogers. Like Pauley, Norby is 25 and has major league experience, holding a .245/.298/.407 batting line across 531 MLB plate appearances. Norby showcases greater power but struggles with a higher strikeout rate and fewer walks compared to Pauley, coupled with weaker defensive skills. Though Norby has yet to fully establish himself at the major league level, his impressive minor league track record includes a .296/.371/.502 slash over 1,155 plate appearances between Baltimore and Miami organizations.
Limited Depth Options at Third Base for Miami
The Marlins have few additional alternatives for third base beyond Pauley and Norby. Christopher Morel and Deyvison De Los Santos have experience at the position, but defensive limitations have led Morel to move to first base after signing as a free agent. De Los Santos, acquired in the A.J. Puk trade, primarily played first base last season and in winter ball, with considerably fewer innings at third. Javier Sanoja, a utility player, showed defensive reliability over 41 games at third base last year but struggled offensively, posting a .243/.287/.396 slash in 342 plate appearances.
Options for Third Base Should Pauley Miss Time
Should Pauley’s forearm injury require an extended absence, the Marlins might explore external options to bolster their third base depth. Several experienced infielders currently unsigned, including Jon Berti, Emmanuel Rivera, Luis Urías, and Jose Iglesias, remain available and capable of handling the hot corner. Additional possibilities may emerge as the season approaches, either from veteran free agents opting out of minor league contracts or players being designated for assignment, creating openings via waivers or trades to strengthen Miami’s roster.
Graham Pauley is dealing with forearm tightness and will be shut down from all baseball activities, per manager Clayton McCullough#Marlins @FishOnFirst
— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) February 23, 2026
Graham Pauley underwent imaging for forearm tightness. Hasn’t appeared in a spring game. #Marlins
— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) February 23, 2026
