JUPITER, Fla. -- Marlins third baseman Martin Prado is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Saturday to determine the severity of his right hamstring strain.
The 33-year-old infielder pulled up while running to first base on Wednesday in Venezuela's 4-2 loss to Team USA in Pool F of the World Baseball Classic at Petco Park in San Diego. Prado was returning on Friday to South Florida, where he will be further examined.
:: 2017 World Baseball Classic ::
"He's getting an MRI tomorrow," manager Don Mattingly said on Friday. "We'll let our doctors see him and make a decision, and we'll see where we think he's at right now.
"There is no reason to speculate at this point. Obviously, it's a hamstring. Those things take a little time."
With Prado out, the Marlins started Miguel Rojas at third base on Friday against the Nationals in Grapefruit League action at Roger Dean Stadium.
Rojas and the left-handed-hitting Derek Dietrich are candidates to play third base if Prado misses extended time.
Brian Anderson -- Miami's No. 3 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com -- is also in camp. Anderson, however, isn't considered a realistic option for the regular season at this point.
Prado signed a three-year, $40 million extension with the Marlins in early October. He's one of the most valued players on the club.
Miami plans to be cautious with Prado.
"Hamstrings take a little bit of time, and we'll let the doctors determine what grade it is and see what we're going to have to do," Mattingly said. "You're just guessing at a timeline with guys getting back. Hopefully, it's a minor Grade 1, and we'll kind of continue moving and have him ready. We'll have to wait and see."
Worth noting
• Catcher A.J. Ellis, who has been out since late February with a left hamstring strain, is progressing. He took batting practice and continues to improve.
"At this point, we're still being very cautious with him," Mattingly said.
• Left-hander Jeff Locke, who is expected to open the season on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis, is progressing in his throwing off flat ground. Locke is throwing at 125 feet and may throw off the mound in about a week.
Locke is moving back at a comfortable pace and not rushing.
"We'll do it slow and do it right, and hopefully, we'll do this once and be over with it," Locke said.