Miami Marlins get power boost with Liam Hicks returning from IL

The Miami Marlins had some much-needed power return to their lineup.

After a stint on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain, the Marlins announced Tuesday that Liam Hicks had been activated, and it didn’t take long for his presence to be felt.

In Miami’s 14-3 win against the Colorado Rockies, Hicks made his presence felt by notching a multihit game and scoring a run.

Before landing on the IL, the 27-year-old was batting .278 and led the team with 13 home runs.

Even after missing Miami’s past nine games, Hicks still leads the team with 53 RBI.

After the second-year catcher was placed on the IL on June 21, he underwent an MRI, but Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said there was nothing structurally concerning.

While players such as shortstop Otto Lopez (.333 batting average, .366 OBP) and second baseman Xavier Edwards (.297 batting average, .377 OBP) have continued to set the table for Miami, Hicks has supplied a level of power the lineup has otherwise lacked. He is the only Marlins player to reach double-digit home runs this season and one of just two players on the team to clear the 40-RBI mark.

Earlier in the season, McCullough pointed to Hicks’ offseason work as a reason for his offensive jump.

“He’s always controlled the strike zone, he makes a ton of contact, and he moves the ball all around the field,” McCullough said. “We’ve seen him make a real commitment to moving faster, getting stronger, moving faster, building a bigger engine.”

Additional moves

The Marlins also placed right-handed reliever Anthony Bender on the 15-day injured list with a right shin stress reaction.

Bender had been one of Miami’s steadiest bullpen arms this season, posting a 1-1 record, 2.62 ERA, two saves and 41 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings across 35 appearances.

To fill that spot, Miami recalled right-hander Zach Brzykcy from Triple A Jacksonville.

Infielder Graham Pauley was also optioned to Jacksonville as part of Tuesday’s moves.

This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 10:50 AM.