WASHINGTON -- Third baseman Martin Prado could be reinstated from the disabled list at some point during the Marlins' first homestand, possibly around mid-April.
Prado suffered a Grade 1 right hamstring strain on March 15 while playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. In recent days, the 33-year-old has been doing some running and participating in baseball-related activities.
"He's taking ground balls, he's hitting," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "He's been running for like three days now. All the things are progressing."
With hamstrings, it is tricky to put an exact return date. But the way Prado is feeling, he could be ready around the middle of April.
The Marlins will have their home opener on Tuesday at Marlins Park when they face the Braves in the first game of a two-game set. The Mets then visit for a four-game series, April 13-16. The best-case scenario is Prado returning during the set with New York.
Prado, who batted .305 with eight homers and 75 RBIs in 2016, signed a three-year, $40 million extension in October.
With Prado out, Derek Dietrich has been filling in at third base.
"I had heard sometime possibly during the homestand [Prado] would be back with us," Mattingly said. "I heard towards the end of the homestand. We've tried not to put any artificial deadline with him. Make sure whatever was happening, he was progressing to where we felt like he was 100 percent."