Xavier

Edwards

It looks to be a routine day off for the speedy 25-year-old infielder, though it’s a bit surprising considering Edwards is 6-for-7 (.857) in his career against Nationals’ right-hander Trevor Williams. Javier Sanoja will start in his place at second base and bat ninth for the Marlins on Saturday.

Unfortunately, Edwards’ teammates went 4-for-30. The last time a player had five hits for a team that scored two runs or fewer was 2016, when the Guardians’ Lonnie Chisenhall went 5-for-8 in a 19-inning game. The last time it happened in a nine-inning game was when George Springer went 5-for-5 in the Astros’ 4-1 loss to the White Sox on June 10, 2015. Edwards, who was making his first start after being activated from the IL on Saturday, raised his average from .262 to .282 today.

Edwards is absent from Saturday’s lineup with veteran lefty Robbie Ray toeing the rubber for the visiting Giants, but he’ll be available off the bench following a two-week absence recovering from a back strain. The 25-year-old stolen base threat had 11 thefts through his first 42 games before hitting the shelf.

Interestingly, will play second base on Thursday, and “Miami plans for him to move there and keep Otto Lopez at shortstop when Edwards is reinstated from the IL.” Edwards has a -6 Outs Above Average this season at shortstop and was -10 last year, so this seems to be the right move.

Edwards hit the injured list back in mid-May with a back strain. There’s no timetable for his return at the moment, but it’s a positive update that he’s making some recent progress. The 25-year-old speedster should rejoin Miami’s nucleus at some point in June.

Not great. No word yet on how much time Edwards figures to miss, but back issues can be extremely complicated matters. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough told reporters earlier this weekend that precautionary imaging didn’t reveal any structural issues, so the hope here for fantasy managers is that he’s dealing with a mild strain. The 25-year-old speedster’s absence creates an opportunity for rookie Javier Sanoja to continue playing shortstop in his absence.

Edwards will sit out his second consecutive contest after being scratched from Friday’s lineup with back tightness. Fantasy managers are well aware that back issues can be complicated matters, but Marlins manager Clayton McCullough told reporters on Saturday that Edwards underwent precautionary imaging that didn’t reveal any structural issues. He’s expected to resume baseball activities this weekend. The 25-year-old speedster has compiled 11 steals through 42 games, but his .263 batting average qualifies as a slight disappointment relative to expectations. It’ll be rookie Javier Sanoja filling in at shortstop on Saturday evening in his place.

The 25-year-old speedster is considered day-to-day for the time being. Javier Sanoja will replace him at shortstop while Jesus Sanchez slides up to the team’s leadoff spot for their battle against Taj Bradley and the Rays on Friday night.

Edwards can be difficult to evaluate from a fantasy perspective. On one hand, he’s scored 18 runs and has 11 stolen bases this season, which is what his fantasy managers were looking for from him when they drafted him. He also has 11 RBI. On the other hand, he’s hitting just .259 with no power whatsoever. Edwards now has just one home run and a .066 ISO 139 career MLB games. Speed is certainly important in fantasy and Edwards could push for 50 steals this year, but his .328 average in 70 games last year looks like a fluke and he might just be a one or two category player this year.

Edwards’ stolen base gives him six on the season and only the Pirates’ Oneil Cruz has more. The 25-year-old shortstop has hits in nine of his last 10 games. The Marlins’ leadoff man is hitting .310 with a .768 OPS and five RBI on the year. Edwards previously mentioned 60-plus steals as a goal this year so it’s unlikely he’ll slow down on the bases anytime soon.