Giancarlo Stanton is back.
In a surprise announcement shortly before the Marlins took the field Tuesday, manager Don Mattingly said Stanton _ out since Aug. 13 with a sprained groin _ had been activated from the disabled list and would be available to pinch-hit.
"He's basically a bat off the bench right now," Mattingly said. "We're not talking about him being in right field three days from now. But we do expect that to happen at some point."
It was believed when Stanton first sustained the injury that he would likely be lost for the season. Later, it was thought he could return for the final week of the season.
"That's the timetable we were given, too, and what we were really going by," Mattingly said.
Now the slumping Marlins will have him for the final 24 games.
Stanton hit in a simulation game before batting practice on Tuesday, hammering a home run into the vegetation growing just beyond the center-field wall.
Later, during batting practice, he ran the bases and looked surprisingly nimble. Mattingly said that if Stanton was to reach base, he would not require a pinch-runner.
But he has been instructed to be cautious when running.
The Marlins also received more good news on the injury front Tuesday when first baseman Justin Bour was activated from the disabled list.
Bour has been out since early July with a high ankle sprain.
Like Stanton, Bour will be used as a pinch-hitter for now but could return to the lineup in a matter of days.
"It sure looks a lot better on my card when I look at it that these guys are available," Mattingly said.
