MIAMI -- The Marlins' unofficial captain is back.
The club reinstated Martin Prado from the 10-day disabled list on Friday afternoon, and the veteran third baseman went 0-for-4 in the Marlins' 1-0 loss to the Rockies at Marlins Park.
Prado saw his first big league action since July 17, 2017, and the Marlins welcomed the 34-year-old back to their lineup. But with Prado's return, Miami optioned rookie right-hander Trevor Richards to Triple-A New Orleans.
"I feel like I just got called up," Prado said before the game. "I'm really excited. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions."
The veteran opened the season on the DL with a left hamstring strain. In an injury-plagued 2017, Prado appeared in 37 games, hitting .250/.279/.357 with two home runs and 12 RBIs.
Before being reinstated, Prado appeared in four rehab assignment games at Class A Advanced Jupiter, logging seven innings at third base on Wednesday.

"I'm going to do everything I can," Prado said about playing regularly. "I know there is stuff I can't control. [The Marlins] have a plan, but I have mine, too. I've always been a guy who likes to compete. Just to compete. I have to put myself at that level. I'm going to do whatever it takes. If it is to do stuff in the morning, I'll do stuff in the morning, so by the time I come to the field, I'll be ready."
Prado's leadership and production should benefit a young Miami roster. His return also means rookie Brian Anderson, who has anchored third base, will see more time in the outfield and even some first base.
Anderson still will get some playing time at third base, because Prado will get periodic days off.
"You just have to plan on giving him days like everyone else," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "He's not old, but he's older. He's in that range where you'd like to give him a day a week off, and make sure you're taking care of him a little bit. He's ready to go. I'm not going to ease him back, I'm going to throw him back in there. We'll definitely be looking to not blowing him out either."
Anderson played right field for the first time in his professional baseball career on Friday, recording the first out of the game on DJ LeMahieu's fly ball.
"It's exciting," Anderson said. "I'm excited to try it out. Kind of take what I've learned and will try to make the routine plays and keep the ball in front of me."

Richards, 24, is coming off an impressive start in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. In Wednesday's 8-6 series-finale win, Miami's No. 20 prospect per MLB Pipeline threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out 10.
In five starts, Richards went 0-2 with a 4.94 ERA, with 24 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings.
"For Trevor, to go into Dodger Stadium, against a team that was one win away from the World Series [title], and give them all kinds of trouble," Mattingly said. "If you're not confident after you leave that one, then something is wrong."

Worth noting
• Dan Straily (right forearm strain) threw a bullpen on Friday, and he will be further evaluated. If cleared, the right-hander could come off the disabled list and start on Sunday.
• Right-hander Elieser Hernandez (tooth infection) will continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Jacksonville on Sunday, where he is expected to throw six innings.
• Shortstop JT Riddle (right shoulder tendinitis) was scheduled to play seven innings at Jacksonville on Friday, and nine on Saturday as his rehab assignment continues.