Mathis might be ready to rejoin Marlins
Club will see how catcher feels after latest rehab game, then could activate him Friday in Colorado
MIAMI -- The Marlins may have veteran catcher Jeff Mathis with them when they open their six-game road trip in Colorado on Friday.
Recovering from a fractured right hand, Mathis went 1-for-2 on Wednesday in a rehab-assignment game at Double-A Jacksonville.
"We'll find out how he feels and make a decision," Miami manager Dan Jennings said.
Getting Mathis back will help take the pressure off rookie J.T. Realmuto, who has handled the bulk of the catching duties since Jarrod Saltalamacchia was designated for assignment on April 27.
Mathis fractured his throwing hand on April 12, getting clipped by a foul ball against Tampa Bay. He went on the disabled list the following day.
Even though Mathis has been on the DL, he has continued to be a vocal leader for the Marlins. To build up into playing shape, he appeared in nine rehab-assignment games, four with Triple-A New Orleans and the remaining five with Double-A Jacksonville.
With the Suns, he was 5-for-17 (.294). He also had 10 more at-bats with the Zephyrs, giving him 27 total.
Jhonatan Solano has been serving as Realmuto's backup.
Also, first baseman Michael Morse (sprained right ring finger) is starting to take dry swings, and within the next couple of days, he is expected to begin hitting.
"Right now, the finger, we've avoided any swinging so it doesn't aggravate," Jennings said.
Morse went on the DL on May 26.