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Stanton, Jennings Comment on Recovery
Saturday, Aug. 1
"Definitely slower," Stanton said of his progress from June 28 surgery, per Steve Wilaj of MLB.com, who added:
Stanton suffered the injury on June 26. While he'd missed 28 games entering Saturday, the 25-year-old said he's currently in the process of building back strength in the hand and has no timetable for his return.
He added that while he has been hitting off a tee recently, he still feels pain and is swinging "as strong as it allows."
"Getting decent—the ball's coming off OK," Stanton said. "It's just the pain level of it."
Stanton suffered the injury on June 26. While he'd missed 28 games entering Saturday, the 25-year-old said he's currently in the process of building back strength in the hand and has no timetable for his return.
He added that while he has been hitting off a tee recently, he still feels pain and is swinging "as strong as it allows."
"Getting decent—the ball's coming off OK," Stanton said. "It's just the pain level of it."
Marlins manager Dan Jennings said the slugger began hitting off a tee, per De Nicol. "His hand looks good," Jennings said. "It's healed. The scar looks well. Now he's going to start off the tee and into flips. He'll progress at his timetable. It's good to see him making strides the right way."
Prior to the injury, Stanton had been on a tear. He hit .344 with 12 home runs and 23 RBI in June. That's wildly impressive compared to his performance in May, when Stanton batted a lowly .185 with nine home runs and 23 RBI. Thanks to his June surge, Stanton's season-long batting average has ticked up to .265.
An MVP finalist in 2014, Stanton had his season abruptly ended in September after a fastball from Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers hit him in the face. He suffered multiple face lacerations and fractures, missing Miami's final 17 games while recovering.
Despite the injury, Stanton and the Marlins agreed to a historic 13-year, $325 million contract that is the richest in baseball history. The deal represented a stark deviation from Miami's modus operandi, which typically sees Jeffrey Loria's club trade away its stars before offering them long-term deals.
Stanton's standing as the game's best power hitter and a beloved figure in the Miami area helped change the team's approach, but losing that star to a major injury will leave a bad taste in the team's mouth entering next season.
