MILWAUKEE -- The Marlins may be three and a half weeks into the regular season, but it's essentially Spring Training for third baseman Martin Prado.
Prado is continuing his rehab assignment at Class A Advanced Jupiter, but he is getting closer to returning to the Marlins. The 34-year-old opened the season on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain and last played in the big leagues on July 17, 2017.
Prado could rejoin the Marlins on their next homestand, which starts on Friday against the Rockies.
"Now it's really a matter of getting Martin at-bats," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "He hasn't really played since last July on any kind of consistent basis, so he's kind of going through Spring Training right now. ... He's been doing well."
Prado was given Sunday off after getting three at-bats with the Hammerheads on Saturday. The plan is for him to be back in Jupiter's lineup on Monday.
"He's been extremely positive," Mattingly said. "Martin is a guy who is really hard on himself and has been frustrated by the season he had last year, from the standpoint of injuries. You could see it on his face, from being down. But he's been really positive and upbeat lately."
Prado has appeared in two rehab games, but in recent weeks, he's been getting his share of at-bats through extended spring training or live batting practice. There's still a chance Prado could play at another Minor League level in his rehab, either at Double-A Jacksonville or Triple-A New Orleans.
"It's a matter of him getting built up," Mattingly said. "I don't know if there is another level he needs to get to. It's really just building innings."
Once reinstated, Prado will create some playing time issues, because rookie Brian Anderson has been handling third base. Anderson could see time as a corner outfielder to keep his bat in the lineup.

Celebrating Earth Day
Green is being trendy on Sunday throughout Major League Baseball. Earth Day is being celebrated throughout the big leagues. The Marlins are concluding their four-game series at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The Brewers partnered with the Green Bay Packers for the Root, Root, Root for the Brewers campaign.
Although the Marlins are the road team, their home, Marlins Park, ranks among the tops in the Majors in terms of being environmentally conscious.
Marlins Park is one of six ballparks that is LEED-certified. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Marlins Park is recognized for meeting high environmental standards by using less water and energy, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Marlins Park, AT&T Park (Giants), Nationals Park (Nationals), Camden Yards (Orioles), SunTrust Park (Braves) and Target Field (Twins) are the six Major League ballparks that are LEED certified.