The Marlins announced that infielder Xavier Edwards has been placed on the ten-day injured list with a left thumb sprain. Manager Clayton McCullough said yesterday that Edwards was likely dealing with a thumb sprain, as MLBTR covered. Infielder Jared Serna has been recalled to take his place on the active roster and will be making his major league debut as soon as he gets into a game. The Fish also made a swap on the pitching staff, optioning right-hander Wikelman González and recalling left-hander Cade Gibson.
Serna, now 24, was initially an international signing of the Yankees out of Mexico. He was one of three young players who came to the Marlins as part of the Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade in July of 2024. A few months later, the Marlins added him to their roster to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft.
Listed at 5’7″, it was once believed that Serna could hold his own in the box despite his small stature. From 2021 to 2024, he took 1,551 trips to the plate in the minor leagues with 43 home runs, a 10.8% walk rate, 16.6% strikeout rate, .265/.358/.435 line and 121 wRC+. His stock is down, however. Dating back to the start of the 2025 season, he has 814 plate appearances. His walk and strikeout rates are similar but he has hit only 15 home runs, leading to a .265/.358/.435 line and wRC+ of 80.
Despite the downturn at the plate, FanGraphs ranked him the #27 prospect in the system in June, noting that he’s a strong defender at shortstop and in center field. He hasn’t played center in affiliated ball but has done so in winter ball in Mexico. The report projects him to be a useful utility player, even with the diminished offense, thanks to his ability to play shortstop, third base, second base and the outfield.
Perhaps Serna can grow into more power as he ages. For now, he’ll bounce around the diamond to wherever the club needs him and will try to take advantage of whatever opportunities he’s given. He is in his second of three option years and can therefore still be easily sent to the minors when there’s no spot for him in the big leagues.
Photo courtesy of Jim Rassol, Imagn Images
