PJ Morlando is drafted by the Miami Marlins with the 16th pick during the first round of the MLB Draft. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Single-A 'weight-lifting competition' ends Marlins prospect's season

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 9/19/24

The Miami Marlins’ first-round 2024 MLB Draft selection saw his season end prematurely.

Outfielder PJ Morlando, the 16th overall pick in the June draft, has been out since Aug. 9 due to a lumbar stress reaction and will not play again this season. New information emerged Thursday, however, indicating that Morlando suffered the injury in an embarrassing manner.

According to Isaac Azout of the Miami Herald, Morlando suffered the injury during a weight-lifting competition organized by the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads on Aug. 2, his first professional game since being drafted. The event was put together during a rain delay, but team officials seemingly sanctioned Morlando’s participation.

Per multiple sources, Marlins first-round pick PJ Morlando suffered his season-ending injury in a weight-lifting competition.

Team officials organized the competition during a rain delay on August 2, Morlando’s first professional game.

— Isaac Azout (@IsaacAzout) September 19, 2024

Presumably, officials atop the Marlins organization will be unhappy. The situation was entirely avoidable.

The Marlins have had an exceptionally tumultuous season that saw them gut what was a playoff team in 2023. They may lose 100 games this year, and stories like this will not instill much faith in the organization’s ability to turn things around.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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