Anderson out for season, no surgery required

MIAMI -- As expected, Brian Anderson will not return to the Marlins this season, but the 26-year-old did receive some encouraging news that his fractured left hand will not require surgery.

Anderson suffered the injury last Friday after being struck by a pitch from Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez. An X-ray that night revealed a fracture, but after seeing a hand specialist on Monday, it was determined that there was no extensive damage.

"No surgery,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said on Tuesday. “He's seen the doc, and he doesn't need to have surgery. That's all we've got. We don't expect him back. I can tell you that. So obviously he doesn't have to put a pin or anything in it to help it heal or whatever."

Anderson suffered a fracture of his fifth metacarpal.

“He's in a splint or whatever he's in,” Mattingly said. “I think a mobile cast or mobile splint. Probably some kind of rehab. But other than that, it should be a normal winter for him."

Anderson is a key player on a Marlins team that continues to build. He paces the club in home runs (20) and doubles (33), and he is second in RBIs (66).

“I think this last month-and-a-half or so, he's made some breakthroughs,” Mattingly said. “He's being a little easier on himself. He's tough on himself. That's how he motivates himself, but sometimes he's over the top where it gets in the way. But I think what's happened these last six weeks gives him confidence that he's a guy that knows he can hit. He knows he sees the ball good. His approach is getting better and better.”

In Anderson, the Marlins feel they have a middle-of-the-order threat, who offers the flexibility of being able to play either right field or third base. He opened the season at third, but was moved to right field because of necessity.

“He's not a guy that we needed to find out about,” Mattingly said. “He's a guy that will heal and be ready to go in spring. Big things coming for him."

Worth noting

Reliever Austin Brice (right forearm strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, and right-hander Tyler Kinley was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans.