What happened
Esteury Ruiz was removed from the Marlins' Grapefruit League game in Jupiter after fouling a ball in the third inning and grabbing his left side. The Marlins announced he left due to left side tightness. He was the second Marlins outfielder to exit early that night, following Kyle Stowers.
Why it matters
Ruiz, acquired from the Dodgers in December, is competing for a roster spot with his speed and base-stealing prowess. Left side tightness raises concerns of an oblique strain, which could sideline him into the regular season. This adds to Marlins' injury worries reminiscent of last year's late spring issues with other outfielders.
What to watch
Monitor Marlins updates on Ruiz's imaging and expected return timeline ahead of Opening Day.