CHICAGO -- After being absent from Sunday's lineup -- though he did make an appearance as a pinch-hitter -- Justin Bour was again missing from the Marlins' lineup for the series opener against the Cubs on Monday, a 3-1 loss.
The reason? A sore left ankle that actually started to bother him on Saturday, Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.
"Just when he hit the base the other day," Mattingly said. "The next morning it was there."
Before Monday's game, the Marlins gave Bour a precautionary MRI on the injured left ankle, which revealed a bone bruise. Mattingly said a stint on the 10-day disabled list is likely.
"Well, it doesn't look great. I was hoping for a lot better," Mattingly said. "But then when I see him walk in with a boot on a foot, that didn't feel near as good.
"We're talking it over tonight if it's going to be a DL. We kind of feel like it's going to be."
Bour is hitting .295 this season with 16 home runs and 40 RBIs. The first baseman entered Monday leading the team with a .959 OPS and coming off one of the best full months of his career, where he slashed .344/.427/.729.
Speaking after Monday's game, Bour said the walking boot is to help hold everything in place as he deals with the bone bruise and inflammation from the injury. He said after missing significant time last season with a right ankle injury, he was going to be careful not to push things with the left one.
"Last year, I found myself in a situation where I missed more time than I wanted to," Bour said. "So [I'm] starting off with just being smart, taking care of it right away and getting back on the field as soon as possible."
Volquez to throw bullpen session
After colliding with Rey Fuentes while recording the first out of his no-hitter against the D-backs on Saturday, Edinson Volquez (2-7, 3.79 ERA) dealt with some soreness in an ankle. As of Monday, his status for his next start was still up in the air, pending the result of a bullpen session on Tuesday.
"I expect that's going to go pretty good," Mattingly said. "I think the thing about it is, how's he going to be able to move?"
The right-hander did some throwing Monday and said he felt fine. He did acknowledge that the ankle was still a little tight, but said he wouldn't know the plan until Tuesday.
Nicolino on schedule for return
Left-hander Justin Nicolino (0-1, 4.15 ERA), who was placed on the 10-day DL with a left index finger contusion retroactive to Wednesday, should be back when the stint is up, Mattingly said.
"Nico's going to be fine," Mattingly said. "When he's due to come off, we think he'll be healthy."
The left-hander has made three appearances for the Marlins this year, allowing six runs in 13 innings with nine strikeouts to six walks. He last pitched on Tuesday, throwing three no-hit innings against the Phillies before he was taken out of the game.