Stanton gives himself roughly 10 days to return from DL
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton has given himself a week-and-a-half timetable to return from the disabled list.
Stanton, who underwent surgery on his left wrist hamate fracture on June 28, was initially expected to miss 4-6 weeks. It looks as though he will come back for Miami's next homestand, which begins Sept. 4 against the New York Mets.
"It's a happy medium of both right now getting my timing and almost to where I want to feel," Stanton said. "That's (what) the ideal timetable would be."
Last week at the beginning of the homestand, Stanton said he had been seeing 50-85 pitches inside the cages to build up strength in his wrist. There was still pain at the time. He has been hitting off the machine with it "coming out hard, about where I usually have it."
With the minor-league season nearing an end, Stanton won't play in any rehab games with Single-A Jupiter. He still has no target date for taking live batting practice.
"I'd like to do that with the machine, so hopefully I'm getting my timing right there and just need the (big-league) games for more standing up, sitting up type of deal," Stanton said. "Timing between at-bats to get warm and cold. I don't have much time to do that to be honest. For their schedule and for ours. Hopefully my timing will be there and we'll go from there."
The 25-year-old right fielder led the majors with 27 home runs and 67 RBI at the time of the injury, having missed just one of Miami's first 75 contests.
Miami reinstated Gold Glover Christian Yelich from the DL on Tuesday, inserting him in left and batting sixth. He was nursing a right knee contusion. With center fielder Marcell Ozuna back from a stint in Triple-A New Orleans, the Marlins will soon have their Opening Day outfield playing together again for the first time since June.
"It's real nice to put a date on that," manager Dan Jennings said. "It'll be a welcome addition to have him back in the lineup. It's great to hear. I know he's been progressing in a good way. Had a good visit with him yesterday. (He) said he was feeling stronger and didn't feel it when he turned his wrist, so that's a good sign. If we can get these guys together and have a month of health (it'll) be some fun and maybe we can be a spoiler in some ways."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
