MIAMI -- Marlins outfielder Griffin Conine is nearing a return from the injured list as soon as next week.
Conine, who sustained a torn left hamstring attempting a diving catch in left field on April 9, is about two months removed from a tendon excision procedure, which typically comes with a six-to-eight-week recovery timetable.
The 28-year-old remains roughly on track with that initial estimate, having begun a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, going 1-for-2 with an RBI while playing seven innings in right. In his second showing on Thursday, he made quite the statement with a 2-for-4 night featuring a three-run home run. He played another seven innings, this time at first base, before the game was called due to inclement weather.
According to manager Clayton McCullough, Conine will play a full game on Saturday and most likely will play again on Sunday as part of a back-to-back. From there, the Marlins will determine what's next.
"He feels good physically," McCullough said. "Offensively, [he] feels like he's in a pretty good spot, considering how long he's been out. ... And then [we'll] see how Griff, again, how he's feeling, not only in the batter's box, but is he physically and in a state mentally where he feels like he's ready to come up and help us win?"
Although still in the early stages of his big league career, Conine already has prior form in quick recoveries; less than a year before tearing his hamstring, he dislocated his left shoulder diving into second base on April 19, 2025, for which he required a labral and fracture repair. Although typically a season-ending procedure, he played four more games in the final week of the regular season.
McCullough said Conine could see action in both the outfield and first base once he rejoins the club. Prior to the hamstring injury, Conine appeared at first for just one inning compared to 10 games in left and four in right this season.
"We'll continue to look for what's the best configuration for that particular day, and how guys within a game maybe move around," McCullough said. "Griff played a game of first base on his rehab. He'll get a couple in the outfield, so he'll be ready to do anything that's asked."