Hicks reinstated from 10-day IL as Miami carries 3 catchers on active roster

DENVER -- The Marlins welcomed back their home run and RBI leader Liam Hicks from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, batting him leadoff and starting him at first base against the Rockies at Coors Field.

Hicks, who has clubbed 13 homers and driven in 53 runs, was scratched from the club’s June 20 game after feeling discomfort in his back during pregame catching drills and batting cage swings. Imaging later revealed a lower back strain, necessitating an IL stint -- the first of his professional career.

Tuesday was Hicks' first day eligible to come off the IL.

"Luckily, it wasn't too long to be able to get back after those 10 days, so that's nice, but hopefully it doesn't happen again," Hicks said.

Prior to the injury, Hicks was batting .357/.426/.524 with two doubles, one triple, one homer and six RBIs while riding a 10-game hitting streak. Although he was serving as rookie Joe Mack’s backup at catcher, he was sticking in the lineup as the club’s primary designated hitter or a first-base option.

Hicks and the Marlins anticipated it being a short IL stint, which it wound up being. After taking a couple days off for rehab, Hicks resumed throwing. He had been hitting for the last six days.

"Definitely frustrating timing," Hicks said. "Definitely felt like I was kind of getting back to feeling good and comfortable in the box. May was a little bit slower, but [I] felt like I was having a good June, especially just with how the team is playing. I could see it was starting to get to this point."

Since Miami optioned left-handed-hitting infielder Graham Pauley to Triple-A Jacksonville as the corresponding move, the club is carrying three catchers on the active roster: Mack, Hicks and Brian Navarreto.

According to manager Clayton McCullough, Mack will continue to get the majority of the starts behind the plate, especially against right-handed pitching. Hicks will be in the lineup nearly every day -- regardless of pitcher handiness -- by catching some, playing a little first base when Kyle Stowers or Griffin Conine isn't doing so and serving as the DH. Since the position-player group is left-handed-heavy, the Marlins wanted to keep as many righty bats as possible (Navarreto, Heriberto Hernández, Leo Jiménez and Esteury Ruiz).

"Navi's just a great guy," McCullough said. "His teammates trust him, I trust him. He does a whole lot behind the scenes, and Navi knows he's going to get occasional starts versus left. But also, if there's a time when it allows me to get Joe Mack off his feet for a period of innings in a game, there's some value for that. Liam does DH as well, [so it] provides some protection that if we do want to go hit for Joe Mack in the sixth inning, or whatever it is, then we're not every night potentially having to lose the DH for that. It just gives us some more optionality within games."