Miami in market for 'pen help; injury updates

When the Marlins get to full strength, they anticipate being nicely positioned to contend for a postseason spot.

As a result, the front office is open to making trades to upgrade the roster before the Aug. 31 Trade Deadline.

According to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, the Marlins plan on being buyers at the Deadline, and they’re focusing on bullpen help. The Royals are one of the teams Miami is monitoring for relievers.

While the Marlins are aiming to improve their bullpen, the organization is reluctant to part with its high-end prospects.

The Marlins have six players on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, and their farm system is regarded as top 10 overall. Parting with any of their main prospects is unlikely.

The Marlins do have outfield depth, including outfielder Jerar Encarnación, a slugger who is the club’s No. 17 prospect per MLB Pipeline. Encarnación would attract plenty of interest on the trade market, but Miami would likely only include him in a major deal.

If MLB adopts the universal designated hitter, having Encarnación as an option for the future is enticing to the organization.

As Miami surveys the trade market, its bullpen could be getting a key member back either next week or next weekend.

Yimi García, who is on the injured list, could be back as early as Tuesday’s series opener at the Mets, or more realistically, the home series against the Rays, which starts on Friday.

Injury updates
Right-hander Sandy Alcantara, who threw four innings and 49 pitches in a simulated game a few days ago, will make at least one more scrimmage appearance before being reinstated.

Alcantara, the Marlins’ Opening Day starter, is working his way back to full strength at the alternate training site in Jupiter, Fla.

Left-hander Caleb Smith and right-hander José Ureña also are getting back into playing shape in Jupiter.

Manager Don Mattingly said Saturday that of the three, Alcantara is the closest to returning, followed by Ureña and Smith.

Ureña and Smith each threw on Saturday.

“I think [Alcantara] thinks he's ready,” Mattingly said. “But you want to be safe with a guy like that. He will get another outing down there, and hopefully, after the reports we get, then he will be ready.

“Sandy is probably the furthest along, then José and Smitty, who was a little further behind. It hasn't been as clean for him as the other guys.”

Roster moves
• Right-handed reliever Jesus Tinoco, whom the Marlins used as the 29th player for Saturday’s doubleheader, pitched two scoreless innings in Miami's 5-4 loss in Game 1. The Marlins acquired Tinoco from the Rockies for right-hander Chad Smith on Aug. 14.

• The Marlins recalled top prospect Sixto Sánchez, who pitched five innings for the win in Game 2 in his MLB debut, from their alternate training site and optioned lefty Josh D. Smith.

• Additionally, Miami transferred switch-pitcher Pat Venditte and left-hander Brian Moran to the 60-day injured list.