Hurricane Irma damages roof of Marlins Park

Like most of the rest of South Florida, the Miami Marlins did not escape Hurricane Irma completely unscathed.

Marlins Park’s retractable roof seems to have suffered damage, though the extent of which is unclear. Photos posted to social media showed a portion of the roof’s pliable membrane torn away.

The Marlins were quiet through Monday afternoon on the extent of the issue, including whether it threatens their next homestand, which begins Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

A team spokesman said the Marlins assessed the damage, but “no update yet.”

In advance of the storm last week, the Marlins tied down the roof with 56 large steel anchors, among other ballpark preparations. That included leaving the three-panel roof ajar in three spots.

In Jupiter, Fla., meanwhile, Roger Dean Stadium made it through the storm without significant issue. But given Irma’s aftermath throughout the state, the Marlins decided to cancel their instruction league, which was supposed to start in mid-September and run for several weeks.

Instructional league is a like a fall version of spring training, with many minor leaguers, particularly those in the lower levels, working out at their team’s spring facility and participating in de facto scrimmages.

Instead, the Marlins will have a “lengthy mini-camp” prior to spring training 2018, said Marc DelPiano, the Marlins’ vice president of player development. The would-be instructional league roster will participate in the mini-camp.

“With all the damage surrounding Florida and many of our players with potential home issues,” DelPiano said, “we felt it would be best.”