MLB notes: Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton reinstated from disabled list
Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has been reinstated from the disabled list after missing five weeks with a strained hamstring.
“I’m just happy that I’m finally here to contribute now,” Stanton said. “It’s been a long time.”
The 23-year old, who hit 37 home runs last season, has a .227 batting average with three home runs and nine RBIs in 20 games for Miami before missing 36 games due to the injury.
The Marlins had the worst record in baseball at 18-44 going into play Monday.
To make room for Stanton, the Marlins placed first baseman Casey Kotchman (left oblique strain) on the 15-day disabled list. Miami also activated infielders Donovan Solano and Joe Mahoney from rehab and optioned them to Triple-A New Orleans.
Kinsler’s return expected soon
Rangers second baseman and former Spokane Indian Ian Kinsler has resumed baseball activities and wants to return during the team’s longest homestand of the season.
Kinsler has been out since May 18 with bruised ribs and had a setback the team called a stress reaction in the same area on his right side even before resuming workouts.
Cole, Wheeler debuts on horizon
The future has arrived perhaps for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets.
Rookie right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole will make his major league debut tonight for Pittsburgh against defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants. The 22-year-old Cole was Pittsburgh’s top pick in the 2011 draft and sprinted through the minors.
The New York Mets may bring up top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler to start one of the games of a doubleheader at Atlanta on June 18.
A 23-year-old right-hander, Wheeler was selected by San Francisco with the sixth overall pick of the 2009 amateur draft and was obtained by the Mets two years ago in the trade that sent All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran to the Giants.
Clearing the bases
Former Arizona Diamondbacks television analyst Mark Grace, 48, has been released from a Phoenix jail after completing a four-month DUI sentence. … New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has slightly increased his baseball activities by fielding grounders hit directly at him. The 13-time All-Star hasn’t played this season after breaking his left ankle in the playoffs last year and having surgery. … Cleveland Indians two-time All-Star closer Chris Perez and his wife pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor possession charges after marijuana was mailed to their home in their dog’s name. … The Los Angeles Angels have activated outfielder Peter Bourjos from the 15-day disabled list, a move that will shift All-Star Mike Trout to left field when Bourjos is in the lineup. Bourjos, who missed 38 games with a left hamstring strain, was hitting .313 with two homers and eight RBIs before his injury.