Marlins Third Base Candidate Sidelined with Forearm Injury

Graham Pauley shut down and undergoing MRI for right forearm tightness

Feb. 23, 2026 at 9:19pm

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Miami Marlins third base candidate Graham Pauley has been shut down from baseball activities due to persistent right forearm tightness. Pauley, a 25-year-old left-handed hitter, had an MRI on Monday and is awaiting the results before the team determines next steps.

Why it matters

Pauley was expected to compete for the starting third base job with Connor Norby, so this injury setback could impact the Marlins' plans at the hot corner heading into the 2026 season.

The details

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said the forearm tightness has not improved over the past couple of days, leading the team to shut down Pauley from baseball activities until they get a clearer picture on the injury. Pauley hit .224 with 4 home runs in 161 at-bats as a rookie in 2025.

  • Pauley had an MRI on Monday morning.
  • Pauley has not appeared in any spring training games due to the forearm tightness.

The players

Graham Pauley

A 25-year-old left-handed hitting third base candidate for the Miami Marlins.

Clayton McCullough

The manager of the Miami Marlins.

Connor Norby

Pauley's competition for the Marlins' starting third base job.

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What they’re saying

“He's going to be shut down from baseball until we get a clearer picture on what's happening.”

— Clayton McCullough, Marlins Manager (MLB.com)

What’s next

The Marlins are awaiting the results of Pauley's MRI to determine the severity of the injury and next steps in his recovery.

The takeaway

This injury setback for Pauley could open the door for Connor Norby to claim the starting third base job for the Marlins, though the team will need to wait for further medical evaluation before making any decisions.