Marlins who had COVID-19 resume activities

A depleted Marlins roster now has plenty of reinforcements on the mend.

All 18 of Miami’s players who previously tested positive for COVID-19 have been cleared to resume baseball activities, and they have been assigned to the club’s alternate training site at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex in Jupiter, Fla.

"Obviously, it’s good to get guys working out again,” manager Don Mattingly said. “I don't have much else to say about that other than it's good to have them working out, and they're at least healthy virus-wise and they've gotten past that.”

For the most part, all 18 were placed on the injured list either on Opening Day on July 24 or during the week that followed.

The lengthy list includes the club’s top three starters -- Sandy Alcantara, Caleb Smith and José Ureña -- as well as shortstop Miguel Rojas, catcher Jorge Alfaro, first baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper and outfielder Harold Ramirez.

Additionally, eight relievers, including setup right-hander Yimi García, have not been available since the opening weekend.

Due to the high number of positive cases, the Marlins went eight days without playing.

Through all the early-season turmoil, Miami has still gotten off to a fast start. The Marlins entered Monday’s four-game series with the Mets at Marlins Park tied for first place in the National League East with the Braves.

Exactly when these players get back into playing shape remains uncertain. Still, it’s encouraging for the organization that a number of players, many of them starters and primary pitchers, are likely a matter of days from returning.

The influx of depth should help the Marlins be in position to continue to challenge for a playoff spot in September.

“Now we have to get them back,” Mattingly said. “It depends on how long it takes guys to get back into baseball shape.”

In terms of roster space, the Marlins do not have to make any corresponding roster moves until players are reinstated to the active roster.

Dickerson could return Tuesday
Outfielder Corey Dickerson is eligible to come off MLB’s bereavement list on Tuesday.

The club has been without its primary left fielder since Saturday. By rule, Dickerson must be out for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days.

“I think the plan is that he was going to be back at some point [Monday], and then go through testing,” Mattingly said. “He’s not available until [Tuesday] with the rules.”

To stay in accordance with MLB’s health and safety protocols, Dickerson must also be tested for COVID-19 before rejoining the club.

Brinson and Harrison share moment
When rookie outfielder Monte Harrison belted his first MLB home run in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Braves, one of the first players to celebrate with him in the dugout was Lewis Brinson.

Harrison and Brinson have been close friends for years, and they were part of the Christian Yelich trade with the Brewers before the 2018 season.

“Monte's my boy,” Brinson said. “We're similar players. We play similar positions. We relate a lot in that aspect. He's Black. I'm Black. Let's be real. We click.

“To have that moment, I knew what my first home run felt like. It felt awesome. My teammates welcomed me with open arms. We weren't winning at the time, but just to get that home run out of the way, it's just a different feeling when you do it in the big leagues. I was just really happy for him.”

Harrison’s homer also was a timely one, because it tied the game at 1 in the eighth inning.

“It was a big home run at that,” Brinson said. “It tied the game up. Him hitting it out like that, I know what it is like to round the bases for the first time. It was just special, especially for him."