MIAMI -- JT Riddle is finally off the disabled list, but the 26-year-old still must wait his turn for a big league callup. The Marlins on Wednesday optioned the left-handed-hitting shortstop to Triple-A New Orleans.
It's been a long process for Riddle, who opened the season on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis. Because he hasn't played in the big leagues since last July 19, at Philadelphia, he's being groomed back slowly.
Riddle's 2017 rookie season was cut short due to a left shoulder injury, which required surgery. He wasn't cleared to begin throwing until January, only a few weeks before Spring Training opened.
During Spring Training, Riddle experienced discomfort in his throwing arm, and he opened the season on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis.
"Now, it's a matter of him playing every day, and showing that he is able to sustain that pace -- playing every day," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.
The Marlins have no urgency to immediately bring Riddle back to the big leagues. Miguel Rojas has handled shortstop on an everyday basis, and Yadiel Rivera is the backup middle infielder.
Riddle played 70 games for Miami in 2017, batting .250/.282/.355 with three home runs, 13 doubles, one triple and 31 RBIs.
In recent days, Riddle has been on rehab assignment, starting at Class A Advanced Jupiter before moving up to Double-A Jacksonville and New Orleans. In six rehab games, he's hitting .286 with a .318 on-base percentage, plus two doubles and a home run.
"At this point, if we needed someone, he's healthy," Mattingly said.
Worth noting
• Catcher/first baseman Tomas Telis has cleared waivers and was outrighted to New Orleans on Wednesday. Telis, designated for assignment on Saturday, appeared in 23 games for the Marlins, mostly as a pinch-hitter. He went 2-for-16 in pinch-hit opportunities, and overall his average was .207 with a .258 on-base percentage.

• Second baseman Starlin Castro, who started in the Marlins' first 29 games of the season, was out of the lineup on Wednesday. The 28-year-old was given the day off, although he remains available. Castro is batting .310/.362/.363, and he entered Wednesday with 35 hits, tied for the National League lead. Yadiel Rivera, who had the walk-off single in Tuesday's 2-1 win in 10 innings against the Phillies at Marlins Park, started at second base.