The Miami Marlins will have some extra thump in their lineup as they try to compete for a wild card spot. The club announced on Tuesday that it has activated slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who hasn’t played since August 13.
OFFICIAL: Giancarlo Stanton has been reinstated from the Disabled List and is activated for tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/UVfXgm9V8T
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 6, 2016
This was the second bit of good news for Miami on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the club activated first baseman Justin Bour.
While both are available, neither Bour or Stanton is in the Marlins’ lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) September 6, 2016
Miami will definitely need big contributions from both Stanton on Bour if it is going to make the playoffs. With 24 games remaining, the Marlins are five games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild card spot in the National League. The New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates are both in between St. Louis and Miami as well.
Stanton was having a down year prior to his injury, slashing at .244/.329/.496. Despite those struggles, he has managed 25 home runs. Bour had 15 home runs and a .268/.347/.526 slash line before getting sidelined.