’Canes look to have rebound season

2017 Record: 31-27, 16-13 Atlantic Coast Conference Big departures: OF Carl Chester, INF Johnny Ruiz, OF James Davison, INF Chris Barr

Key newcomers: INF Raymond Gil, INF OF Danny Reyes Home opener: 7 p.m., Friday vs. Rutgers Outlook: The Hurricanes, one of college baseball’s traditional powerhouse programs, enter the season eager to put a disappointing 2017 behind them. In May, Miami saw its streak of 44 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances come to an end. Now, in coach Jim Morris’ final season in Coral Gables, Miami is eager to start a new postseason streak. It will have to do it with a core of talented freshmen that could comprise five infield positions. Among them are Alex Toral and Raymond Gil, a 37th-round pick in last year’s draft. While it could be the first time in Morris’ 25-year tenure at Miami that the Hurricanes start an all-freshman infield, there are veterans on the roster, particularly in the bullpen. Reliever Andrew Cabezas, who finished with a bullpen-low 2.15 ERA in 25 appearances, is back, as is former Freshman All-American Frankie Bartow, who had 12 saves in 2017. Starter Jeb Bargfeldt, who was 7-3 and had a 2.28 ERA last season, will lead the rotation and is scheduled to start Friday’s opener. Greg Veliz (6-4, 3.38 ERA) will serve as Miami’s Saturday starter, and Evan McKendry (4-2, 4.10 ERA) will get Sunday starts. Offensively, the Hurricanes return slugger Romy Gonzalez, who hit .261 and had a team-high 38 RBI and 11 home runs and outfielder Michael Burns, who hit .247 with 32 RBI.

— Christy Cabrera Chirinos Alex Toral,