Rojas reinstated as Prado placed on DL with knee sprain
Martin Prado has suffered another injury in what’s been a frustrating 2017 season for the Marlins’ veteran third baseman.
Prado was placed on the 10-day disabled list late Monday night with a right knee sprain, marking his third stint on the DL since mid-March.
The Marlins reinstated versatile infielder Miguel Rojas, who has experience at every position in the infield, on Tuesday to reinforce their infield depth.
Prado has played in only 37 games this season having already spent time on the disabled list on two separate occasions this season with a right hamstring injury. Prado, 33, originally suffered that injury while playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Prado was scheduled to undergo an MRI Tuesday, .
The injury occurred in the third inning when Prado fielded a ground ball by Phillies pitcher Jerad Eickhoff and threw to first base. Prado remained in the game, striking out in the fourth before being replaced in the fifth by Derek Dietrich.
"[Prado] kind of came towards the [third base] bag and then threw it," Mattingly said after Monday’s game. "Then he felt something in there."
Mattingly said Tuesday the plan is for Dietrich (.241, 4 HR, 22 RBI) to get the majority of starts at third in Prado’s absence.
But Rojas figures to play often all around the infield, and occasionally start on days starters need rest.
"I think it’s basically all over the place and because of the way [Rojas] plays defense it really helps our flexibility as far as defensive shifts and putting him in different spots in our order," Mattingly said.
Rojas last played on May 7 when he suffered a fractured thumb that landed him on the 60-day disabled list. He was hitting .338 prior to the injury. Rojas has played in 10 rehab games combined with Single A Jupiter and Double A Jacksonville since June 8th.
“After two months being out, this felt like the first time being called up to the big leagues again,” Rojas said. “I’m never going to take these moments for granted and I feel like I need to show them I’m ready to go and ready to help this team win.”
HEART AND HUSTLE
J.T. Realmuto was chosen by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association as the Marlins’ Heart and Hustle Award winner.
The award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. The award is the only one in the majors voted on by former players.
One player from each of the 30 MLB teams is chosen and the final winner will be announced on Nov. 14 at the 18th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City.
"It talks about who he is as a player and who he is as a player," Mattingly said. "He plays the game right and approaches things right. This is exactly the award he should get."
GOOD NEWS FOR STRAILY
Dan Straily (thumb bruise) threw his scheduled bullpen on Monday and will be ready to make his start Wednesday afternoon. Straily sustained a bruise on his right hand Friday when he got jammed swinging at a pitch by Dodgers’ pitcher Brandon McCarthy.
"It was just me being a terrible hitter," Straily said. "I jammed my thumb in a weird spot. It was to the point where we thought it might start to affect some pitches. I’m good now, ready to go."
On the personal side, the All-Star break was an exciting time for Straily and his wife, Amanda. They welcomed their first child, Jaxon, on July 9.
"It’s been an incredible experience so far," Straily said. "It’s the coolest feeling in the world."
ROSTER MOVE
To make room on the roster for Adam Conley, who started Tuesday night’s game, the Marlins optioned reliever Drew Steckenrider to Triple A New Orleans.
COMING UP
Wednesday: Marlins RHP Dan Straily (7-4, 3.32 ERA) vs. Phillies RHP Nick Pivetta (2-5, 5.63), 12:10 p.m., Marlins Park.
Thursday: Off.
This story was originally published July 18, 2017 at 12:30 AM with the headline "Rojas reinstated as Prado placed on DL with knee sprain."