The Marlins have made a pair of roster moves Sunday morning, as noted by MLB.com’s Christian De Nicola. First baseman Garrett Cooper has been activated from the 10-day injured list, while outfielder Jesus Sanchez was placed on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain. Sanchez’s placement on the IL is no surprise after he left Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury.
Sanchez, 25, was in the midst of a hot stretch that had made him one of the club’s best hitters this season, with his 150 wRC+ only topped by second baseman Luis Arraez. Sanchez has been heavily platoon-protected this season, however. The lefty slugger has stepped to the plate against same-handed pitchers just five times this year, though he does have two hits, including a home run, in those limited opportunities. While no timetable has been announced for Sanchez’s return, it seems certain that the youngster will miss more than the minimum 10 days.
Taking over for Sanchez on the active roster is Cooper, who earned his first All-Star appearance last season. Cooper, who posted a .271/.352/.443 slash line (good for a 123 wRC+) in 852 plate appearances across the 2020-2022 campaigns, hadn’t quite lived up to those standards this season prior to going on the IL with an ear infection. In 98 plate appearances in 2023, Cooper has slashed .272/.306/.413 with a 97 wRC+ that hovers just below the league average.
Cooper figures to primarily spend time at first base and DH, spots Yuli Gurriel and Jorge Soler currently occupy. That being said, both Cooper and Soler have outfield experience, so either player could also factor into the outfield alongside Bryan De La Cruz, Jon Berti and Jazz Chisholm Jr. while Sanchez is on the shelf.
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