MIAMI -- The Marlins returned home after a tough road trip to an encouraging sight: Jazz Chisholm Jr. playing catch and taking grounders prior to Thursday night's series opener against the Padres at loanDepot park.

Chisholm, who went on the injured list on Monday after sustaining a left shoulder bone contusion from landing awkwardly on a diving-catch attempt the day before, expects to return when he is eligible to do so on July 30, when the Marlins host the Yankees.

"It could have been way worse than it was -- easily," Chisholm said. "The doctor said if I just hit the ground a little bit harder, that could have been it for the season. I'm just really happy that it wasn't that, you know?"

Thursday marked the first time Chisholm had done any activities. He had spent the previous days with his arm in a sling and unable to move it above his head. He had to wait for the swelling and bruising to go down with anti-inflammatories. Chisholm expects he'll play two to three rehab games while the ballclub is on the road in Baltimore next week.

"It's encouraging," manager Don Mattingly said. "He came in a couple days later and said he was feeling good and gives us his prognosis, 'Dr. Jazz', when he'll be ready. We'll see what the trainers say, but it is encouraging him being out there. I know he's excited. He just stopped by my office on the way in. It is a good sign that he's feeling this good this quick, but I'm sure we'll be careful and let the medical kind of dictate when he's ready."

The 23-year-old rookie is slashing .251/.317/.437 with a .755 OPS in 70 games this season. He previously landed on the IL with a left hamstring strain, and also missed time with a mild ankle sprain.

Latest signing
The Marlins on Thursday announced the signing of their third-round Draft pick, infielder Jordan McCants. According to MLB Pipeline's Jonathan Mayo, McCants signed for $800,000 (pick 88 value = $678,600). Miami has signed 13 of its 21 selections from the 2021 MLB Draft.

• Marlins' 2021 Draft Tracker