Two key injured Marlins players could return soon. The latest updates
Right-handed pitcher Eury Perez appears to be close to a return to the Miami Marlins.
Outfielder/first baseman Griffin Conine might not be too far behind.
Both Perez and Conine began rehab assignments with Triple A Jacksonville this week, and Marlins manager Clayton McCullough was optimistic about both players’ trajectories.
Perez, sidelined since May 28 with a right gracilis strain, threw 3 2/3 of one-run ball in his rehab start on Thursday for the Jumbo Shrimp. He gave up just three hits and didn’t issue a walk while striking out five. Perez threw 51 pitches, 37 of which landed for strikes.
“He came out of that feeling very strong,” McCullough said, adding it was “very encouraging with how he was able to throw.”
McCullough said Perez is back with the team in Miami and will throw a pitch design session at loanDepot park either Sunday or Monday before next steps are decided.
Could that next step be pitching with the Marlins compared to another rehab outing?
“There’s a definite possibility that could be the case,” McCullough said.
Perez’s return, whenever it may be, will be gladly welcomed by a Marlins team that has seen its rotation depth take a major hit recently. In addition to Perez, Janson Junk is on the injured list with right shin bone inflammation. Highly touted prospect Robby Snelling is also out for the season after undergoing UCL revision surgery shortly after his MLB debut.
Tyler Phillips has moved to the rotation as a result. Lake Bachar on Friday is making his fourth start of the month to lead off a bullpen game. Ryan Gusto, who has a 7.24 ERA, is scheduled to make his fourth start on Sunday.
As for Conine, the slugger has been sidelined with a left hamstring tear since April 10. He has played two games so far for Jacksonville, starting in the outfield on Tuesday and at first base on Thursday, and has gone 3 for 6 with a three-run home run and four RBI in those contests.
“Griff, he feels good physically,” McCullough said. “I think offensively feels like he’s in a pretty good spot, considering how long he’s been out. The plan is that he’ll play a full game Saturday, and most likely will play back-to-back on Sunday and then we’ll determine what’s next.”
McCullough said Conine could get reps both in the outfield and at first base when he returns to the big-league club.
In other injury news, McCullough said Junk threw a pitch design session at the team’s minor-league complex in Jupiter on Friday. If he recovers well from that, the plan is for Junk to throw a live batting practice session in a few days. He will likely need “probably a couple of rehab starts” before returning to the rotation.
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