Aviles added to bolster injury-plagued infield

MIAMI — The revolving door in the Miami Marlins’ infield continued Friday, this time with a reinforcement in the addition of veteran utilityman Mike Aviles.

The Marlins selected the contract of Aviles, who was signed to a minor league contract last weekend, to bolster an area that has been beset with injuries. Aviles, 36, has played nine seasons in the major leagues with four teams, all of them in the American League, and is a career .262 hitter.

Also Friday, the Marlins finally got good news on an injury report that didn’t include the words disabled list.

There was concern J.T. Riddle might become the third shortstop and fourth infielder headed there this week when he was scratched from Wednesday’s game after taking a ground ball off the tip of the index finger on his throwing hand in pregame warmups.

Riddle’s finger was much improved after Thursday’s off day and the rookie won’t miss any time.

“When I first did it and it swelled up so fast, I’m just glad it’s not broken. That would have been a downer for sure,” said Riddle. “Especially now know that it’s not going to be a DL stint as well, it’s good news.”

Shortstops Miguel Rojas and Adeiny Hechavarria as well as third baseman Martin Prado went on the DL in a span of three days this week.

When Riddle was hurt Wednesday, second baseman Dee Gordon had to play shortstop, a position he hadn’t played since 2013.

Catcher Tomas Telis was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for Aviles. Minor league infielder Yefri Perez was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster.

Aviles had gotten the most starts in his career at shortstop but has also played at second, third and in the outfield. He has a .295 on-base percentage and a .378 slugging percentage. He struggled with Detroit in 2016, posting a slash line of .210/.258/.269.

Aviles most recently played for Puerto Rico in the WBC. In three games, he went 6 for 10 with a triple, three RBI and three runs scored.

He played in one game for Triple-A New Orleans, starting at third base Thursday at Reno, necessitating a cross-country trip to join the Marlins.

Although Riddle was available to come off the bench Friday, manager Don Mattingly elected to give him another day before returning to the starting lineup. Thus, Gordon started again at shortstop with Steve Lombardozzi getting his second start at second base.

“I like playing second base,” said Gordon, who began his career at shortstop, but after making the switch won a Gold Glove at second in 2015. “I like having the opportunity to be a Gold Glove second baseman. But my teammates need me to be at short right now, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

Lineup tinkering

Mattingly said his latest lineup adjustment, which for the past two games has featured Marcell Ozuna in the cleanup spot and Giancarlo Stanton batting fifth, was designed to avoid having several lefthanded hitters batting consecutively.

That was achieved with J.T. Realmuto batting second, between lefty hitters Derek Dietrich (leadoff ) and Christian Yelich (third). Gordon, in the ninth spot, and Justin Bour (sixth) also bats left. Lombardozzi (seventh) is a switch hitter.

“It wasn’t so bad with St. Louis [earlier in the week] because their lefties were guys that got righties out better,” Mattingly said. “But you run into Atlanta and they’ve got three lefties that are basically getting lefties out, and you’re putting yourself in a bad spot every time you get in that area. So were just trying to break it up a little bit.”

Chen update

Wei-Yin Chen (elbow) came out of Wednesday’s bullpen session without a setback, but it remained uncertain when he will return from the DL. Chen said he will throw another bullpen Saturday, and Mattingly said it hasn’t been determined if the lefty will need a rehab assignment in the minors before returning to the Marlins rotation.

The Marlins haven’t announced a starter for Sunday, though Dan Straily isa possibility, Mattingly said.

If Chen isn’t ready to pitch by Tuesday, they will likely need to call up a spot starter.

Aviles