.MIAMI -- The Marlins reinstated Garrett Cooper from the injured list, and he reached base four times in Friday night's 11-2 victory over the Nationals at loanDepot park. Cooper doubled twice, homered and walked. His return affects the ballclub in several ways.

1. Adds pop to lineup
Though Cooper got off to a slow start in 2021, he is a middle-of-the-order threat for an offense struggling to score runs. During their four-game skid, the Marlins put up just five total runs. Miami ranks 28th in the Majors with 3.9 runs per game, ahead of the Mets (3.7) and the Pirates (3.6).

From 2019-20, Cooper slashed .281/.347/.459 with an .806 OPS in 141 games. He slots into Jesús Aguilar's No. 3 spot in the lineup, in front of streaky Adam Duvall. According to Statcast, Cooper is in the 92nd percentile for maximum exit velocity (114 mph) and the 88th percentile for hard-hit rate (50.4 percent).

"I think Coop's always hit," manager Don Mattingly said before the game. "He struggled some this year, but he's always hit in the past, and I think that's been his carrying card, is that this guy can hit. That's what he brings, and obviously it's something that we're in need of, is another bat in the lineup -- either coming off the bench or playing whatever way that is. He's another quality guy that you have either in the game or on the bench."

2. Consistent reps for Díaz
When Cooper landed on the IL on June 9, Miami recalled first baseman Lewin Díaz. After a lost Minor League season in 2020, the organization would like its prospects to start on a daily basis and further their development. That is what Díaz, the club's No. 6 prospect, had been doing at Triple-A Jacksonville until Cooper was sidelined. In a two-week span in the Majors, the 24-year-old Díaz accumulated just 13 at-bats, hitting his first two MLB homers. All but four of those plate appearances were of the pinch-hit variety.

Though Díaz was sent down, it might not be for long. If the Marlins continue to drop in the standings and go into sell mode, Aguilar would be an attractive piece for clubs before the July 30 Trade Deadline. Entering Friday, Aguilar was tied for second in the National League with 50 RBIs, and he also has one remaining year of arbitration eligibility. Cooper, who is arbitration-eligible through 2023, can play both first base and right field. Both are blocking Díaz at first.

3. Improves bench
In both games of the Blue Jays series, Mattingly turned to backup catcher Sandy León as a pinch-hitter against left-handed reliever Tim Mayza. Already fielding a short bench, Miami's situation has been heightened with super-utility player Jon Berti starting every day at third base in Brian Anderson's absence. León is a switch-hitter, Díaz and Magneuris Sierra are left-handed batters and Luis Marté is a right-handed hitter with just three career MLB at-bats. When Cooper isn't starting in right field or at first base, he is a right-handed option off the bench. For most of the season, the Marlins have gone with 14 pitchers and 12 position players on the 26-man active roster.