Stanton listed as day to day with contusion

MIAMI -- For the second straight day, Giancarlo Stanton was not in the Marlins' lineup.

Still, there was encouraging news regarding the All-Star right fielder. An MRI taken on Saturday morning revealed Stanton has a left shoulder contusion.

The bruise is expected to keep the 23-year-old out of the lineup for a couple of days instead of an extended period. The Marlins listed the slugger as being day to day, but it is doubtful he will be ready until Monday at the earliest.

"Stanton has a left shoulder bruise, which is good news, obviously," manager Mike Redmond said. "He's going to get some treatment, and he will be day to day."

Miami's lackluster offense certainly could use Stanton, who initially felt discomfort while making a diving catch to rob Kirk Nieuwenhuis in cold weather on April 6 at New York. The slugger took batting practice on Friday, but he was scratched from the lineup shortly before the Marlins faced the Phillies.

"I know he dove for a ball in cold weather," Redmond said. "I guess it flared up on him [Friday] after batting practice. We got him out of there, he got some treatment, and he was checked out today. Thankfully, it is just a bruise. We will get him some treatment and hope to get him back out there as soon as possible."

Like the Marlins, Stanton is off to a slow start. The right fielder is batting .167 (5-for-30) with two doubles, no homers and no RBIs.

Austin Kearns is filling in for Stanton, and he batted fifth on Saturday.

"No doubt we've struggled offensively," Redmond said. "To lose Stanton out of that lineup makes it even tougher. We're looking for somebody to step up and get a big hit."