MIAMI _ After continuing to struggle through his sophomore campaign, the Miami Marlins are hitting the reset button and trying a new approach with Lewis Brinson.
On Tuesday, Miami optioned the 24-year-old outfielder to Triple-A New Orleans. The centerpiece of the Christian Yelich trade, Brinson is hitting .197/.247/.263 with five doubles and no home runs in 27 games. The former Coral Springs High standout has struck out 28 times and walked twice in 82 plate appearances this season.
In a corresponding move, Miami activated Garrett Cooper from the injured list. The 28-year-old outfielder has missed the past month of the season with a left calf strain.
Sending Brinson to the minors is a new approach for the Marlins as they try to develop the talented youngster. Last season, the Marlins committed to riding out Brinson's struggles in the majors. In 109 games, he hit .199/.240/.338 with 10 doubles and 11 home runs.
After a strong spring training campaign in which he hit five home runs, the Marlins were hoping Brinson would finally tap into his raw power on a consistent basis.
The Marlins have tried moving him throughout the order and given him days off, but nothing has flipped the switch yet. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said two weeks ago it's fair to say this was a key stretch for Brinson mentally.
"Last year, (he had a) pretty long leash as far as to let this, things grow, let him get the experience and continue to try and develop and get better," Mattingly said on April 17. "It's a little different (now). We still need to be patient and we know the talent's there and get this to show up."
Miami's Opening Day right fielder, Cooper played in just three games this season before heading to the injured list March 31. He initially suffered the injury in the second game of the season versus the Colorado Rockies and aggravated it the following day while pinch hitting. Cooper is 0 for 7 in his three games this season.
He provides the Marlins with some defensive versatility as he can play right field, left field and first base.
Cooper made three rehab starts for High-A Jupiter this weekend, finishing 6 for 9 with one home run, two doubles and one walk. He made two starts in left and one at first.
Cooper is hoping to move past his hard luck start in his MLB career. The Marlins' Opening Day right fielder in 2018 as well, Cooper played just 14 games last season after dealing with a nagging wrist injury he sustained in the second game of the season.
In spring training, the outfielder was on the bubble for making the Opening Day roster, but put together a strong camp, hitting .395/.438/.488 in 48 plate appearances.
