EL NUEVO DIARIO, MIAMI.- Last year, around this time, Jorge Soler didn’t know which team he was going to play for.
It was not until March 2022–when the preseason games that had been delayed due to the labor shutdown had already started–that the Cuban signed a contract as a free agent with the Marlins. Soler was ready for Opening Day, starting in left field and opening Miami’s batting order in San Francisco.
But Soler battled back problems for most of the season, closing out 2022 on the 60-day disabled list after his rehab process stalled in mid-September. In 72 games, he hit .207/.295/.400 with 13 home runs in 306 plate appearances. The 2021 World Series MVP once had the pace to hit 30 home runs. Without Soler and Jazz Chisholm Jr., among others, the Marlins’ lineup had a tough time.
“There is no exact reason or explanation as to why I got injured,” Soler said. “But seeing different doctors, what they told me is that it’s a ruptured disc in my back and no surgery is needed. It’s more about strengthening that area and doing exercises focused on that. That is what I need”.
This offseason, Soler exercised his $15 million option and has been training four days a week at loanDepot park, often alongside Chisholm. The second baseman is rehabbing from a nondisplaced fracture in his back and meniscus surgery on his right knee. Venezuelan shortstop Miguel Rojas and fellow Venezuelan right fielder Avisaíl García—who, like Soler, hopes to rebound after a poor first season with his new organization” have also been preparing at the ballpark.
With spring training beginning next month, Jean Segura (recently signed as a free agent), first baseman/DH Garrett Cooper, catcher Nick Fortes, infielder Joey Wendle and outfielders Jesús Sánchez and Bryan De La Cruz will They have joined them to get in tune with the 2023 season.
“It’s definitely motivation,” Soler said. “We use it to kind of push each other, and you also come closer as a family.”
While some of his teammates will compete in the World Baseball Classic in March, Soler chose to skip the event and stay in Jupiter, Florida, for what he hopes will be a better season. Speaking at a charity event in December, Soler said it was his third day in a row of him swinging in the batting cages and that “it’s probably the best I’ve felt so far.”
Soler, who turns 31 on February 25, will see plenty of action as a designated hitter, though he could also pick up some challenges in left field. Thinking about it, he’s been preparing with the new outfield coach, Jon Jay, his former Royals teammate.
“I’m doing it like I don’t have any back injury, so I feel good,” Soler said. “I’m definitely happy with the progress I’ve made.”
