Marlins notes: Martin Prado hopeful to return after All-Star break
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins third baseman Martin Prado expects to return to the team following the All-Star break, most likely when it opens in Philadelphia next weekend.
Prado, on the disabled list retroactive to June 15 with a right shoulder sprain, said he felt "pretty much" normal after two weeks until he tried to throw.
"It's feeling pretty good," Prado said. "You know, coming along. Still don't have the strength to throw to first base, but I think a few more days it'll be pretty much close to 100 percent."
In two starts as the designated hitter for Single-A Jupiter this week, Prado went 3 for 8 with a run and a strikeout. He has yet to play defense, but that should happen over the weekend.
Prado took grounders on Thursday afternoon at Marlins Park and will try to throw across the diamond again on Friday. His next step depends on how he feels going on back-to-back days. It's a matter of getting the strength back in his arm.
"If I got to make a play backhand and I don't have the strength it's not going to make throwing just being there," Prado said. "When I get back I want to get back for good."
MORSE IN OUTFIELD
Over the offseason, the Marlins signed Michael Morse to play first base. More importantly, they wanted him to be a second power bat in the middle of the lineup with Giancarlo Stanton.
With Stanton out, manager Dan Jennings can plug in both Morse and Justin Bour into the order by moving the former into the outfield.
Morse, who has made 404 of his 678 big-league appearances in the outfield, entered Thursday with 216 starts in left. In 2014 with the San Francisco Giants, that's where most of his time came (84 games).
This marks Morse's first home game in the outfield at spacious Marlins Park. He started three games there with the Giants last season. Morse began Tuesday's matchup in Boston in left but moved to first after an inning when Jeff Baker strained his oblique.
"Don't let the size of Michael Morse fool you," Jennings said. "He's a pretty good athlete. This guy came up as a shortstop and he's a pretty good athlete. He's played left field over the course of his career. We signed him to be a first baseman and right now the way Justin has been swinging the bat we're going to try to maximize our spots and get them both in as much as we can."
THE RETURN OF #HITSMcGEHEE
Casey McGehee will return to the Marlins on Friday, according to multiple reports
McGehee, who won 2014 National League Comeback Player of the Year honors, was designated for assignment by the Giants twice this season. He hit .213 with five doubles, two homers and 11 RBI in 49 games.
After a breakout year in 2013 in Japan, McGehee signed a deal with the Marlins. He batted .287 with 29 doubles, one triple, four homers and 76 RBI in 160 games as the third baseman. He was also part of the NL Final Vote.
Miami dealt McGehee to the Giants for prospects Kendry Flores and Luis Castillo over the offseason once the organization acquired Prado from the New York Yankees.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
