Marlins Manager Unsure When Ruggiano Will Return
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Miami Marlins manager Mike Redmond doesn't know how long outfielder Justin Ruggiano will be sidelined with a lower back strain.
Ruggiano underwent an MRI after experiencing tightness in his back while fielding a ground ball on Thursday.
Redmond said Friday that Ruggiano is "getting treatments, and we'll just have to (say) day-to-day. We'll just have to see how that progresses."
The 30-year-old Ruggiano batted .313 with 13 homers and 36 RBI in 91 games with the Marlins last season. He's the projected front-runner in the starting center fielder competition.
Redmond says Gorkys Hernandez would start in center for Miami's Grapefruit League opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.
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