MIAMI -- For the first time since landing on the 10-day injured list on June 7, Marlins left-hander Caleb Smith played catch on the field.

Out with left hip inflammation, Smith was cleared by the team physician, Dr. Lee Kaplan, to start his throwing program. No timetable has been set for his return to the rotation, but the organization doesn’t anticipate a lengthy IL stint.

“This is kind of the start of getting him ready,” manager Don Mattingly said. “I don’t want to put a timetable on it. But, hopefully, it’s something that’s not going to be a long thing.”

Smith last saw game action June 6 at Milwaukee, taking the loss after allowing four earned runs in five innings. In that start, his average four-seam fastball velocity dropped to 90 mph after registering at 92 mph in his previous start.

Not wanting to take any chances with the 27-year-old lefty, the Marlins placed him on the injured list the next day.

Smith, who started out the season 3-0, has dropped four straight decisions and is 3-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 12 starts. He has struck out 82 in 66 innings with a 1.02 WHIP.

Elieser Hernandez is currently filling Smith’s rotation spot. Without Smith, the Marlins don’t have a left-hander in their rotation.

Saturday was a start to getting him back in game action.

“We’ll get him back throwing and get him ready to go,” Mattingly said. “I know he’s excited to be able to play catch today, and get him going.”

Pitch, Hit & Run results
The action at Marlins Park started early Saturday morning with the annual Pitch, Hit & Run event for youth baseball and softball players.

As part of MLB’s youth initiative, the top 12 baseball and top 12 softball qualifiers from South Florida competed in hopes of advancing to the National Finals during 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Week in Cleveland.

The champions were: 7- and 8-year-old softball division: Kaelyn Walkuski from Port Charlotte, Fla; 7- and 8-year-old baseball division: Michael Pastore from West Palm Beach, Fla.

For the 9- and 10-year-old softball division: Adriana Boucher from Boca Raton, Fla. For the 9- and 10-year-old baseball division: Bryan Cabrera from Miami.

For the 11- and 12-year-old softball division: Annebelle Walsh from West Palm Beach. For the 11- and 12-year-old baseball division: Brady Blanks from Jupiter, Fla.

For the 13- and 14-year-old softball division: Ella Pastore from West Palm Beach. For the 13- and 14-year-old baseball division: Jeffrey Vivian from Punta Gorda, Fla.

Marlins Better Halves Tackle Box Auction
Father’s Day weekend also marks the Marlins Better Halves Tackle Box Auction. The annual event provides fans the opportunity to bid on unique items from their favorite Marlins’ players, including personal novelties, autographed memorabilia and game-used equipment.

The two-day auction is a signature fundraising event benefiting Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s pediatric oncology clinic. Fans must submit their bids through the MLB Ballpark app.

At Marlins Park, the Marlins Better Halves Tackle Box Auction is located in Sections 14 and 15 on the Promenade Level during each game until the end of the seventh inning.