Mathis sits with bruised right thumb

MIAMI -- For most of the month, Jeff Mathis has been bothered by a bruised right thumb.

On Wednesday afternoon, the veteran catcher informed manager Mike Redmond that the finger was hampering him once again.

With Mathis experiencing discomfort, Koyie Hill made the start in the series finale against the Phillies. Hill went 0-for-3 with a walk in the 3-2 win.

Mathis initially jammed his thumb while attempting to block a Henderson Alvarez pitch on Sept. 9 in a 5-2 loss to the Braves. The play took place in the fourth inning, and Mathis actually stayed in the game a few more innings, and had one more at-bat, before he was replaced.

Mathis sat out until Sept. 16, and he is 1-for-23 in his seven games since. Miami is off on Thursday, so Mathis will have two days to rest before the weekend series with Detroit.

"Hopefully, it's just a one-day thing or two-day thing," Redmond said.

The Marlins close out their season beginning Friday night against the Tigers at Marlins Park.

Hill and Rob Brantly are options to catch if Mathis is unable to return.

"We've played a lot of games here, and he's been grinding pretty good," Redmond said. "We hope, with the day off, he will be back. We'll see."