JUPITER (CBSMiami/AP) — Two of the most important pieces to the Miami Marlins’ rebuild are already taking major strides forward.
Lewis Brinson and Garrett Cooper, two players acquired during the Miami Marlins’ offseason rebuilding trades, learned on Sunday they had made their first opening day rosters.
A South Florida native, the 23-year-old Brinson was the key piece in the deal that sent Christian Yelich to Milwaukee.
He will start in center field and hit leadoff when Miami opens its season on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs.
“It’s going to be an emotional day, I think, for me and my parents and everybody that’s kind of been with me through the ride, and everybody that saw me play Little League and grow up loving the Marlins,” Brinson said.