Miami Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton Expected to Return in Late September
New reports suggest that Giancarlo Stanton could return to the Miami Marlins this season
After sustaining what was thought to be a season-ending groin strain last week, Giancarlo Stanton could return to the field for the Miami Marlins this year. Team president of baseball operations Michael Hill told MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro that Stanton is confident that he will return for the final week of the season and, potentially, the postseason.
Such an occurrence would be an incredible turn of events. With an MRI revealing a Grade 3 strain, previous reports suggested that the soonest he could return would be the final week of the season. Still, this was the most optimistic scenario, and few expected him to be on track for this return.
Nevertheless, the excellent progression of his rehab assignment brings much-needed good news for the Miami Marlins. They currently sit 8.5 games behind the Washington Nationals in the National League East, but they are very much in the thick of the wild card hunt. Their 65-59 record puts them 1.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild card spot.
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Giancarlo Stanton has been having a bit of a down year this season, but even his down year provides solid production. Through 103 games, he owns a .244 batting average and 25 home runs. Still, these figures are lower than those to which fans have become accustomed. Just two years ago, he posted one of the best years in the National League with a .395 on-base percentage and 37 homers.
This season’s performance can also be split up a bit more. He suffered a terrible slump from the middle of May through late June. In that time, he batted just .204 with roughly average power. While it would be wrong to remove this period from reviewing his season, it is important to note that he had been a very different player in July and August.
During those games, he displayed vastly improved performance. He cut his strikeout rate to a much more manageable 25.5 percent and reached base at an impressive rate. Most importantly, he mashed 20 extra base hits, half of which came as home runs. After scuffling around a bit, it seemed as if he had rediscovered his past form.
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Certainly, the Miami Marlins will hope for the best in his recovery. How he returns could make or break their postseason dreams. Ichiro Suzuki has played well in his absence, but nothing compares to the might of a healthy Giancarlo Stanton.