Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton's MVP-caliber season is officially over.
Manager Mike Redmond announced to reporters at Citi Field on Wednesday afternoon that Stanton will be shut down for the final 12 games, though the team expects him to be ready for spring training next year.
"The doctors at the end felt like he needed more time to heal, no doubt," Redmond said. "It wasn't worth rushing him back. Make sure he's properly healed up and ready for next year."
Stanton was struck by an 88 mph fastball from Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Mike Fiers last Thursday. After being tended to by medical and training staffs of both teams, he was taken in an ambulance to a Milwaukee hospital. Tests revealed multiple facial fractures and dental damage. He required stitches for a facial laceration.
Upon his arrival in Miami the following day, the 24-year-old underwent further evaluation and dental work. Members of the organization, including general manager Dan Jennings, had stated Stanton's desire to return.
"We didn't expect anything less, and the fact he said that we knew that he wanted to be out there and it was genuine," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "But that being said we know what the smart thing to do is. As a teammate I don't think I would let him do it. I would probably tackle him before he got out there."
On Tuesday, Stanton updated fans on Instagram of his progress with a post highlighting before and after images.
The two-time All-Star finishes with a .288 average, an NL-leading 37 homers and 105 RBI. Prior to the injury, he had played in all 145 of Miami's contests this season and paced the league in nearly all offensive categories. Since Friday, the Marlins are 2-3 without him in the lineup and have been held to just one run in all three losses.
There remains the possibility of Stanton getting at-bats in simulated games with the instructional league that runs through the beginning of October.
"He's made tremendous progress, but there was still some swelling and then the multiple fractures," president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "It just wasn't enough time, enough schedule to get him back and on the field."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
