Nick Gordon’s versatility, desire for bounce back could be boon for Marlins. Plus injury updates

Two traits that Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker values in a player are motivation and versatility.

Nick Gordon has both qualities.

The Marlins acquired Gordon in an offseason trade with the Minnesota Twins with the hopes the utility player (and half-brother of former Marlin Dee Strange-Gordon) can have a bounce back season after injuries stymied him in 2023 following a promising 2022 campaign.

So far, Gordon has made his mark in camp. He has gotten time in left field, center field and at second base and has held his own defensively at all three spots. He can also play right field and shortstop.

Offensively, he is hitting .348 (8 for 23) and has stolen four bases without getting caught once.

“It’s not surprising to me because he’s such a good athlete,” Schumaker said. “I know he can play second base. I know he can play all three outfield positions. He’s got a good arm. Baseball IQ is as good as there is. ... He’s had a really nice spring at the plate. That’s good sign to for us. I think he’s going to be extremely valuable for us this year.”

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Gordon showed in 2022 what he is capable of when he hit .272 with a .743 OPS, 28 doubles, nine home runs, 50 RBI and 45 runs scored in 138 games.

But 2023 was a lost season for him due to a season-ending fractured right shin that limited him to just 34 games.

“It definitely motivated me this entire offseason. It’s still motivating me,” Gordon said. “I’m definitely looking forward to getting back on the field just so I can show my talent, just show what I can really do and show what’s capable when I am healthy.”

Gordon doesn’t have a set role yet with the Marlins. Schumaker said most of his time will likely come in the outfield although Gordon’s experience in the infield affords Schumaker some flexibility when putting together lineups.

“It definitely helps a lot,” Gordon said. “You’re able to go anywhere. If there’s a hole anywhere and if I need to be somewhere, it’s always helpful to be able to get on the field and make yourself available.”

Injury updates

▪ Right-handed pitcher JT Chargois is slated to see a specialist for his neck, which has bothered him for most of spring training. Chargois, projected to be one of Miami’s high-leverage relievers if healthy, pitched in his first spring game on Tuesday. While he threw strikes with 12 of 16 pitches, his fastball averaged just 92.2 mph — about 4 mph lower than his average of 96.3 mph last season. The spin rate on his slider was also far below his career average.

“It didn’t look right [Tuesday], watching it and coming in afterwards,” Schumaker said. “The velo just wasn’t there. The slider just wasn’t what it used to be or what he’s used to it being, so he’s gonna see a specialist to make sure that everything’s OK and then we’ll go from there.”

▪ Schumaker said Cabrera (right shoulder impingement) is supposed to play catch on Thursday, but the exact intensity of the throwing session isn’t known at this point.

“Within the next couple of days, he should be back in a throwing program,” Schumaker said.

With the season two weeks away and Cabrera in a wait-and-see pattern, could his spot in the Opening Day rotation be in jeopardy?

“I would say it’s in jeopardy. Yeah. That’s fair,” Schumaker said. “Until we see him throw out there, I don’t know what it looks like with his build-up process.”

▪ Left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrett (shoulder) threw a multi-inning bullpen session on Wednesday. He is slated to throw a live batting practice session as early as this weekend.