The Miami Marlins announced on Saturday that outfielder Dane Myers suffered a fracture in his left ankle. Myers will consult with a foot specialist to determine the severity of the injury, though it is currently expected that he will not require surgery. Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports that Myers will miss approximately 6-8 weeks. An official injured-list placement for Myers could occur during the All-Star break or just before the Marlins’ first game after the break on Friday.
The injury happened in an unusual and unfortunate manner, as Myers hurt his ankle by kicking a clubhouse door in frustration. The incident followed his ejection in the eighth inning of the Marlins’ 10-6 loss to the Reds, after a heated argument over a third-strike call from home plate umpire Derek Thomas.
“I took a swipe at the door with my foot, and I didn’t think I kicked it that hard, but I fractured my foot,” Myers told MLB.com and other media. “That’s something you have to do as a pro. It’s the last missing piece in my game: staying level-headed and not letting the emotions take over.”
Myers, a sixth-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2017 draft, made his MLB debut in 2023 after being claimed off waivers by Miami during the 2022-23 offseason. In his brief major league career, Myers has appeared in 22 games, hitting .269/.286/.358 over 70 plate appearances last year. This season, he has performed well with more playing time, posting a .265/.337/.422 slash line with two home runs over 95 plate appearances in 40 games.
With the Marlins in a rebuilding phase, Myers was expected to receive increased playing time, especially in center field. Manager Skip Schumaker had indicated that Myers would take on a larger role in center field, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. is set to play more frequently at second base. Despite Myers’ injury, Schumaker stated that the team’s plans for Chisholm will remain unchanged. This decision has fueled speculation that Chisholm’s position change might be intended to showcase him for potential trade suitors ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.
The Marlins will need to adjust their outfield plans while Myers recovers, but his absence opens opportunities for other players to step up and contribute. As Miami continues its rebuild, the team will look to its younger talent to fill the void left by Myers and help shape the future of the franchise.
