MIAMI -- Rosters expand from 25 to 40 players beginning Saturday, and the Marlins plan to take full advantage. In addition to going to a six-man starting rotation, Marlins manager Don Mattingly said on Friday that he plans to inject center fielder Lewis Brinson back into the starting lineup.
Healthy once again following a stint on the disabled list with a right hip bone bruise, Brinson is expected to be recalled from the 10-day DL, and according to Mattingly, Brinson will be in the starting lineup on Saturday.
Brinson, who has been on Triple-A rehab assignment with New Orleans, was scheduled to play again on Friday before his anticipated callup.
"Timing looks better," Mattingly said of Brinson, who hit just .186 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 80 games this season before sustaining the injury. "The reports have been better, and he's having some success, which makes sense with better timing."
Mattingly said he won't waste any time in getting Brinson back into the starting lineup.
"We're going to get him right back in," he said. "Our plan was to make sure we see him a lot this whole season. We showed probably more patience with him than anyone else, and our situation dictated it. We want to see what he can do and give him the best opportunity to develop here."
Mattingly also indicated that with the expanded roster, he would expand the starting rotation as well.
"We'll probably do that," he said. "Just continue to give guys extra rest and to be able to see more guys [in the rotation]. Obviously, you want to look at young guys, but also keep in mind that when you're playing Philly or the Nats, you really want to try to throw your main guys at them."
He added that he would also like for his starters to go longer and see the opposition three times through the batting order.
"See if they can make [in-game] adjustments and how they navigate that," Mattingly said.
The September callups should also allow some relief for a bullpen that ranks fourth in the Majors in innings pitched (511 1/3).

"Our biggest thought about the bullpen is making sure that we have a good feel for the number of innings and appearances for guys like [Drew Steckenrider, Kyle Barraclough, Adam Conley, Tayron Guerrero], their usage. We'll watch that more than anything.
"But we'll look at some guys coming up, see what that looks like and then we'll make decisions."
Cooper has surgery
Garrett Cooper had successful surgery on his right wrist on Friday. He is done for the season after hitting .212 in just 33 at-bats for the Marlins. The team's Opening Day starter in right field was hit by a pitch from Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks in the second game of the season. He pinch-hit and played through July 20 when the wrist was reevaluated and put in a cast.