Cooper HBP on left hand, X-rays negative

MIAMI -- Garrett Cooper, reinstated on Tuesday from the 10-day injured list, was struck on his left hand by a pitch and was replaced in the third inning of the Marlins' 7-4 loss to the Indians at Marlins Park. An X-ray came back negative, and the Marlins are listing Cooper as day to day with a contusion.

Cooper was plunked by a Trevor Bauer fastball tracked at 95.6 mph on the left hand. The 28-year-old was treated by the medical staff, and headed to the dugout.

"I'm all right," Cooper said. "It's swollen. Nothing was broken, according to the X-ray. That's a good thing. It's pretty swollen right now. We'll take it day by day. The grip is a little tough right now to make a fist. Besides that, I'm happy there's nothing broken."

The hit-by-pitch is the latest setback for Cooper, who went on the injured list on March 31 with a left calf strain. He appeared in three games before being reinstated on Tuesday, with center fielder Lewis Brinson being optioned to Triple-A New Orleans as the corresponding move.

Cooper, who also plays both corner outfield spots, got the start on Tuesday night at first base. In his first at-bat, he struck out in the second inning. In the third inning, with two outs, Bauer’s fastball ran up and in, and caught the back of Cooper’s hand.

In 2018, Cooper was struck on the right wrist by a pitch in the second game of the season, and appeared in just 14 games all season. The wrist required surgery.

"These last couple of years have taken a toll on me mentally," Cooper said. "I'm just glad nothing is broken."

Cooper said this injury doesn't have the same concerns as the wrist injury from a year ago.

"This is a little more cut-and-dried, right above the knuckle," Cooper said. "You're not dealing with a lot of tendons. It's a good bone bruise, right on the outside of the knuckle."

Based on a strong Spring Training, Cooper won the Opening Day right field job. But in the second game, he tweaked his left calf, and appeared in one game afterwards before going on the injured list.

Jon Berti replaced Cooper, and played shortstop and third base.

The Marlins already are short-handed on the bench, with Neil Walker dealing with a left knee bone bruise. Walker is able to pinch-hit, like he did on Tuesday, but he has yet to play the field since last Thursday night.

The possibility of a roster move exists, if the feeling is the team needs more depth.

Miami is off on Thursday, following the two-day series with Cleveland, which could buy some time for Cooper or Walker to be available to play the field on Friday in the series opener with Atlanta.

"We'll talk about what we'll want to do, if we have to do anything," manager Don Mattingly said. "We can't play short very long. We'll see what it looks like tomorrow. That's what puts you in a little more of bind, with [Walker]. We're trying to nurse him through."