Marlins third baseman Martin Prado has suffered a setback in his recovery from right knee surgery and will open the 2018 season on the disabled list, reports MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. In his place, the Marlins will turn to one of their top organizational prospects, Brian Anderson, to man the hot corner early in the year.
Manager Don Mattingly tells Frisaro that while Prado was already borderline for Opening Day, the team had initially hoped he could join them by an April 9 home series against the Mets. The latest news on his knee, however, will push Prado’s return date further back. While there’s not yet a set timetable on his availability, it seems likely that Prado, who = hasn’t played in a spring game yet, will be out until at least mid-April.
Prado is still owed a total of $28.5MM over the next two seasons, and while the rebuilding Marlins would undoubtedly love to shed that contract — or at least a notable portion of it — the ongoing knee troubles all but entirely remove that possibility at present.
As for the 24-year-old Anderson, he’s fresh off an impressive .275/.361/.492 slash with 22 homers, 21 doubles and three triples through 498 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A in 2017. Anderson struck out at a 19.7 percent clip in that time against a solid 9.6 percent walk rate as he rose through the minors, and he also held his own (.265/.337/.369) in a brief 95-PA sample with the big league club. MLB.com ranks him ninth among Miami farmhands, noting that his hands, range and plus arm make him a fit at third base.
There’s something I’ve always wondered about. What is the reason players that will start the season on the DL usually aren’t put on the DL until right before the season starts? Prado’s not a great example, but someone like Jimmy Nelson is. The Orioles have placed Zach Britton on the 60-day DL already. I understand they did that to open a roster spot, but there are teams all over the majors that have players that will be out the first couple of months that haven’t placed those players on the DL.
I’ve never been able to figure out what the advantage to waiting is.
Good question……I’ve asked that before and never really got an answer that I thought was “Valid”……
There can be many other reasons, but the most common explanation is this rule: A team may not use the 60-day Disabled list at all unless the 40 man roster is already full.
A team could just add random guys to their 40, but then they’d have a headache anytime they signed someone, and they’d have a headache later trying to remove those guys. They’d have to clear waivers first. Then, when the DL guy comes back, they’d have to also waive someone there to make room. It’s a whole lot of unnecessary risk, so teams prefer to just use the 10 day DL (or no DL at all) and wait.
Once that team has properly scoured all free agents and trade possibilities and determined no one else will be signed to the 40 (usually April or May), only then does it make sense to finalize the 40 and move guys to the 60-day DL.
Ellsbury is another example and I don’t know why.
Are there restrictions on activities players on the DL can do? Players on the DL can be traded, so that’s not a factor.
Marlins should just look at Anderson as their starting 3B going forward. Prado is a great Clubhouse presence and team leader, but he’s becoming Miami’s version of David Wright – on the DL way more than he’s on the field. Marlins are basically stuck with his contract until the end, but at least they have Anderson in the fold which eliminates the need to go out and find a 3B.
He played 153 games in 2016. 129 the year before. Not sure how that equates to David Wright.
He thinks he’s smart lol
Insert joke about Marlins playoff chances here
C’mon now you’re just “fishing” for answers
You’re right. I need to reel in my behavior.
it just gets worse for mattingly….
He knows he’s gonna get fired. how can you want to manage this team? I know it’s a job and it pays well, but damn, will he even finish the season as mgr?
Why is he getting Fired???
Why is any of this “His Fault”…???
I actually think that the New Owners would want a guy like Mattingly around to mentor the young players.
The last thing the Marlins wanted to do was be forced to start the rookie Anderson with only Rojas as a backup for both SS and 3B.
Naaaaah.
The last thing they want to do is trade prospects for talent.
Or trade their Competitive Balance Pick for talent.
Come on Prado get healthy my friend