Garrett Cooper set to return to the Marlins roster shortly

Miami Marlins Opening Day right fielder Garrett Cooper has been out of the team’s lineup since March 31 with a calf injury. He is nearing his return to the Major League team.

The last time the Miami Marlins or their fans saw Garrett Cooper in the lineup was March 31, the second game of the 2019 season. The right fielder suffered a calf injury that has placed him on the injured reserve list. Now, after extensive rehab and a stint in Jupiter, the 28-year-old is nearing a return to the Majors. It’s a move that can’t come soon enough for him or the team.

“When he shows he is healthy and able to play two, three, four days in a row, then we have to make a decision,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said in a story that appears on MLB.com.“When they think he’s ready, and think he’s sharp. Once that’s the case, he doesn’t necessarily have to prove he can play 14 days in a row to be able to be here.”

Cooper is now eligible to return to the Marlins in time for a two-game stint with the Cleveland Indians. With first baseman Neil Walker on the shelf right now for a hamstring issue, the return could mean more playing time for Cooper and potentially a fresh bat in the middle of the order.

Per Joe Frisaro, “Cooper is an option at first base or either corner outfield spot. But with Brian Anderson in right field right now, left field is more of an option for Cooper, where he could platoon with Curtis Granderson.”

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Cooper had one of the better spring performances of any of the Marlins in camp. His hard work paid off as he once again won the right field job like last season. And like 2018, he suffered an injury that took him out of the lineup and on the shelf for an extensive period of time. All he can do is come back to Miami, continue to work hard and stay as healthy as he can.

The wrist injury Cooper suffered when he got plunked on the wrist against the Cubs last season took all but 14 games of the regular season away from him.  The focus now is to get back and play games, improving at the plate and finding a comfortable situation for everyone involved.

The Marlins need his bat considering they have no power source and the team is one of the worst hitting clubs in MLB. Their 8-20 record is the worst in baseball as of Monday.