Gordon tests thumb, feels ready to rejoin Marlins
Leadoff man could be activated off DL on Tuesday after playing in rehab game
JUPITER, Fla. -- After a 15-day layoff, Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon returned to game action on Monday for Class A Advanced Jupiter. In a rehab assignment game, Gordon -- who dislocated his left thumb on July 11 -- started at second base and hit leadoff, going 1-for-4 in a seven-inning contest.
The All-Star reported "no pain" with the left thumb. He indicated he's ready to rejoin the Marlins for Tuesday night's series opener with the Nationals at Marlins Park, although he's waiting for official word from the team. On Saturday, manager Dan Jennings said it was a possibility.
"I'm not the training staff -- I'm going to go with whatever the organization wants me to do," said Gordon, who's hitting .338 through 84 games in his first season with Miami. "But I feel good and it was good to get back out there today."
The 28-year-old was originally scheduled to appear with Jupiter on Sunday, but that game was cancelled due to rain.
In turn, Gordon played all seven innings in the first game of Monday's doubleheader at Roger Dean Stadium vs. the Tampa Yankees. He grounded out to second in his first at-bat and notched an infield single in his second at-bat. Gordon flied out to center field in his third at-bat before striking out in his final at-bat.
While Gordon -- who ranks second in Major League Baseball in hits (122) and stolen bases (33) -- had recently been taking batting practice, he said Monday's contest was a good test for the thumb.
"It was definitely different," Gordon said. "The guy out there was throwing 95 [mph] today, so it was good to get some at-bats off him."
If Gordon is activated on Tuesday, it will be his first game with Miami since injuring the thumb on a headfirst slide into first base in a July 11 win over the Reds. The injury required him to miss the All-Star Game on July 14, which he was scheduled to start after being voted in by the fans.
In all, the Marlins are 4-7 since losing their leadoff man, and they have lost seven of 10 following the All-Star break.
"I'm definitely anxious," Gordon said of returning. "I love going out there with my guys and my teammates every day. So to get out there with them is going to be great."