Marlins Injury Updates: Sixto Sánchez slated for 2019 debut on Thursday

Throughout the 2019 season, Fish Stripes will pass along updates on injured Marlins players and top prospects as they attempt to get back on the field. Here is what we’ve learned in recent days...

MLB

• OF/1B Garrett Cooper has been limited to 18 major league games since arriving to the Marlins organization a year-and-a-half ago. Fresh off the injured list on Tuesday night (left calf strain), his second plate appearance ended abruptly when a Trevor Bauer fastball plunked him in the left hand. Despite the painful look of it, X-rays came back negative—the Marlins are calling it a contusion. There should be further updates about his status coming Wednesday as they hope to keep him on the active roster.
• INF Neil Walker is dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee, as revealed after an MRI. Last weekend, the Marlins originally announced the issue as calf tightness. He has three plate appearances—all off the bench—over the past five days. Walker is one of the most productive bats on the team, slashing .256/.341/.423 with 3 HR in 88 PA.
• RHP Austin Brice (gastroenteritis) landed on the IL April 16, but his return seems imminent. The 26-year-old made his third minor league rehab appearance for High-A Jupiter on Tuesday. His totals from the rehab assignment thus far: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K. Left-hander Jarlin García originally filled the void in the bullpen. García and Drew Steckenrider seem like the obvious candidates to be sent down in a corresponding move.

MiLB

• RHP Sixto Sánchez (elbow) is ready for game action. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Be there! While with the Phillies organization, Sánchez made 13 starts in the High-A Florida State League (3.27 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in 74.1 IP). He figures to move up to Double-A Jacksonville shortly thereafter. The 20-year-old is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the Marlins farm system and No. 12 in MLB overall, according to Baseball America.
• RHP Nick Neidert (right knee tendinitis) didn’t miss a single start the past two seasons, but he’s been added to the injured list at Triple-A New Orleans (8.71 ERA, 1.94 WHIP in 10.1 IP). Neidert is the reigning Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year and a September call-up candidate. The Georgia native performed well in his Triple-A debut on April 6 before struggling the next couple starts.
• SS JT Riddle is on the IL for the Baby Cakes with back spasms, Wells Dusenbury of the Sun Sentinel reports. Frustrating season for him. After a couple home runs on the Marlins’ first homestand, Riddle fell into a brutal slump. He was optioned to New Orleans to get regular playing time and develop more defensive versatility, but hasn’t been able to stay on the field to do so.

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• RHP Jeff Brigham pitched an inning in relief for New Orleans on Tuesday. He had been sidelined the previous three weeks. Brigham has a 40-man roster spot for now, though that could be in jeopardy if Zac Gallen continues to dominate and forces a promotion. MLB Pipeline ranks the right-hander 25th among Marlins top prospects.