Around this time last year, Jorge Soler didn't know where he would call his baseball home.

It wasn't until March 22, 2022, four games into a Spring Training delayed by the lockout, that he signed a free-agent contract with the Marlins. Soler was ready by Opening Day, starting in left field and batting leadoff in San Francisco.

But Soler battled back trouble for most of the season, closing out his 2022 on the 60-day injured list when his rehab stalled in mid-September. In 72 games, he slashed .207/.295/.400 with 13 home runs over 306 plate appearances. The 2021 World Series MVP had been on pace for a 30-homer campaign. Without Soler and All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr., among others, the Marlins' lineup scuffled.

"There's no exact reason or rationale for why the injury happened,” Soler said via interpreter Jon Erik Alvarez. “But from seeing all the different doctors, what they've been able to tell me is that it's a broken disc and no surgery is needed. It's just more strengthening of the core and exercises focused on my core that is needed."

This offseason, Soler opted in on his $15 million player option and has been working out four times a week at loanDepot park, often alongside Chisholm. The second baseman has been rehabbing a stress fracture in his back and from right meniscus surgery. Shortstop Miguel Rojas and right fielder Avisaíl García, who, like Soler, hopes to rebound after a subpar first season with his new organization, also have been training at the ballpark. 

With Spring Training set to begin next month, newcomer Jean Segura, All-Star first baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper, catcher Nick Fortes, infielder Joey Wendle and outfielders Jesús Sánchez and Bryan De La Cruz have joined them in getting a head start in preparing for the 2023 campaign.

"It's definitely motivation," Soler said. "We all kind of use it to push each other, and we also are becoming closer as a family."

While some of his teammates will compete in the World Baseball Classic in March, the Cuban-born Soler will forgo the tournament and remain in Jupiter, Fla., for what he hopes will be a bounceback campaign. Speaking during the Marlins' Holiday Wishes event on Dec. 14, Soler noted it was his third day taking swings in the cages and "it's probably the best I've felt so far."

Soler, who turns 31 on Feb. 25, will see a lot of time at designated hitter but also could play some left field. As such, he has been practicing with new outfield coach Jon Jay, his former Royals teammate. 

"I'm doing it as if I don't have any injury in my back, so I feel good," Soler said. "I'm definitely happy with the progress I've made."

How many Cuban-born players have been named World Series MVP?

A.) 1
B.) 2
C.) 3
D.) 4

Friday marks the deadline for arbitration-eligible players and clubs to exchange salary figures for the upcoming season. The following Marlins have yet to come to terms: right-hander Pablo López, left-hander Jesús Luzardo, catcher Jacob Stallings, Cooper, Wendle, utility player Jon Berti and relievers Tanner Scott and J.T. Chargois.

If a one-year or multi-year settlement cannot be agreed upon, a hearing will be scheduled in February before a panel of arbitrators. After hearing arguments from both sides, the panel selects the salary figure of either the player or the club (but not one in between) as the player's salary for the upcoming season.

• The Marlins announced the signing of veteran infielder and two-time All-Star Segura.

• MLB.com colleague Mike Petriello explains why Sánchez might be near the top of Major Leaguers to benefit from the new shift rules in 2023.

• It took some getting used to, but Marlins sixth-ranked prospect Yiddi Cappe thrived under the lights and in front of fans for the first time in his professional career. 

• MLB Pipeline predicts No. 5 prospect Jose Salas will break out in 2023.

Right-hander Edward Cabrera came in at No. 4 on MLB's Top 30 rookies for 2022. Despite a few injuries that limited his time on the mound, the 24-year-old Dominican posted a 1.07 WHIP and 5.5 hits per nine innings across a career-high 71 2/3 MLB innings. A former Top 100 prospect, Cabrera began to realize his potential during his season debut on June 2, when he turned heads by throwing a 95.5 mph changeup.

Visit Marlins.com/SpringTraining to learn more or purchase tickets for games at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. Miami will play 15 home games this spring, including March 8 against Team Israel ahead of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

B.) 2

Soler joined Marlins rookie right-hander Livan Hernandez as the only Cuban-born players to be named World Series MVP when the Braves captured the title in 2021. Soler slashed .300/.391/.800 with one double, three homers and six RBIs in six games. In 1997, Hernandez won Games 1 and 5 of the Fall Classic.

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