The Marlins scored six runs in the ninth inning to secure a 6-2 comeback win over the Nationals on Sunday, but may have lost one of their key players in the process. Second baseman Xavier Edwards left the game in the fifth inning due to an injury that “right now we’re thinking it’s a left thumb sprain,” as manager Clayton McCullough told MLB.com’s Ian Nicholas Quillen and other reporters after the game.
A more specific diagnosis should be available after Edwards undergoes testing tomorrow, and he told Quillen and company that “I feel okay.” It’s possible this sprain is minor enough that Edwards is able to avoid the injured list entirely, though trying to tough out thumb discomfort often has an adverse impact on a hitter’s numbers. A minor sprain could see Edwards back after a minimal 10-day IL stint, but a Grade 2 sprain would likely mark the end of the infielder’s regular season.
It’s probably a good sign that Edwards was already feeling better in the aftermath of what looked like an ugly injury on the field. On a steal of second base, Washington’s Jorbit Vivas slid headfirst into Edwards’ left arm, leaving Edwards removing his glove in pain and heading towards the dugout even as the play was still ongoing (the throw went into center field, allowing Vivas to advance to third base).
After hitting .311/.396/.468 with six homers in his first 269 plate appearances of the season, Edwards has cooled off considerably, with a far more modest .258/.329/.295 slash and zero home runs in his last 303 trips to the dish. His overall .282/.361/.376 slash line still translates to a 105 wRC+, and Edwards’ speed (20 steals in 25 attempts) makes him a threat on the basepaths.
Today’s victory brought Miami back over the .500 mark to 69-68, and the Fish are 3.5 games behind the Diamondbacks for the final NL card berth. Needless to say, Edwards isn’t the kind of player the Marlins can afford to lose for any amount of time as the club tries to chase down a playoff spot. Leo Jimenez is probably the likeliest candidate to cover second base if Edwards is out, assuming Miami wants to keep super-utilityman Javier Sanoja in his current role as the top option at third base.
