Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Brinson, Cooper are closing in on a return.
MIAMI — When Miami took the field on Opening Day in March, the Marlins likely envisioned they’d see their rookie outfield tandem of Lewis Brinson and Garrett Cooper side-by-side for the majority of the season.
Injuries quickly derailed those plans the next day. Cooper hurt his wrist in the second game and was sent to the designated list two games later. Two days before he returned to the team in July, Brinson was forced on the DL with right hip inflammation. Cooper’s second stint only lasted 17 days as he re-injured his wrist.
While both players are still recovering, Marlins manager Don Mattingly is optimistic both rookies could return soon — and get significant playing time in the final month of the season. Mattingly said he’s hopeful Brinson and Cooper could each see 100 at bats by the end of the year.
No timetable has been set yet for either player to return.
“[Brinson] is getting close,” Mattingly said Wednesday. “As long as he can progress without any setbacks. He’s taking [batting practice] and working in the cage. That intensity is ramping up all the time. He’s getting himself ready to play. I’m assuming he’ll get some live batting practice [during next week’s road trip], so he’s going to start hitting some balls with velocity and game speed.”
A Coral Springs High School alum, Brinson had a difficult start in his rookie campaign, hitting .152 by the end of May.
Miami stuck with the 25 year old, though, and he began to make major strides the following month. In June, Brinson hit .267 with four home runs and 13 RBI before being sent to the DL on July 4.
“We talked about a lot of different scenarios — where he was and what’s the best thing for him,” Mattingly said.
“We decided to stick with him — keep going through this process. He was getting better. His at bats were getting better. You can see his swing was shorter and his takes were better. Not necessarily getting a lot more hits — but you could see the progress with his at bats.”
Cooper has been more difficult to evaluate due to the timing of his injuries.
The 27-year-old rookie saw just seven at-bats before being sent to the DL in April. After returning in July, he hit .231 in 26 at bats prior to re-injuring his wrist. Cooper, who suffered a partial tear of his tendon sheath, recently began his hitting progression by taking dry swings.
[Cooper] is one guy we saw a little bit in spring,” Mattingly said. “He got hurt so early, we haven’t seen him get in any rhythm. He’s the one guy I really want to find out and see what he can do. He’s a candidate for playing a little winter ball, getting some more at bats. I think that would be good for him.”