CINCINNATI -- Thursday afternoon’s 7-6 Marlins comeback victory over the Reds served as a microcosm for a wild 4-3 trip that ended at Great American Ball Park.

Since last Friday’s opener in Pittsburgh, seven Marlins have landed on the injured list. That will become eight when lefty Daniel Castano is sidelined with a mild concussion after being struck by a first-inning comebacker.

“We talked to the guys [about this being an] incredible trip for us,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We ended up on a positive on the trip, and just incredible fight. I felt like guys stepped up in all different areas. Had to use guys in different spots in the game where they're not used to pitching. I thought our guys just hung in there.”

It couldn’t come at a more pivotal time, with the Trade Deadline at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday. The front office has decisions to make with Miami (47-52) five games back of the final National League Wild Card spot.

Below are three possible targets and three core pieces that impacted the finale.

TRADE BAIT?

1B/DH Jesús Aguilar
Despite an inconsistent season, the veteran Aguilar is a quality right-handed bat. Aguilar, who has a $10 million mutual option for 2023 with a $200,000 buyout, has been Miami’s top run producer (170 RBIs) since joining the organization in ‘20.

In the finale, Aguilar went 3-for-4 with a homer and a season-high-tying four RBIs. The 32-year-old produces professional at-bats, as evidenced by his ninth-inning sacrifice fly that extended Miami’s lead to two. Entering Thursday, he had a .793 OPS in late-and-close situations.

“It's been hard as a hitter,” said Aguilar, who feels the lockout benefited pitchers. “It's a different year for me, I think for everybody, for most hitters in the league. There's a lot of ups and downs. We've got to continue until we're still healthy, and I think a lot of good things can happen.”

RHP Anthony Bass
Outside of Sunday’s blown save, Bass has been unscored upon in 23 of 25 appearances since June 1. The 34-year-old worked a perfect seventh against the middle of the Reds’ order to keep it at a two-run deficit.

Bass, who has a $3 million team option for 2023, has overcome his greatest nemesis from 2021: left-handed batters (.300/.374/.630). They entered Thursday with a slash line of .270/.288/.365 in ‘22.

LHP Steven Okert
What’s even more valuable than pitching? Controllable southpaws. Okert isn’t arbitration eligible until after the 2024 season, so the Marlins certainly don’t need to move him unless blown away by an offer.

Okert has been the club’s go-to southpaw setup option, entering Thursday with 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He also can get out righties (.141/.274/.310) and lefties (.170/.291/.277).

The 31-year-old’s lone blemish across 1 2/3 innings on Thursday was Tyler Naquin’s solo shot in the sixth. Six of the 19 hits allowed by Okert this season have been homers.

THE FUTURE?

OF Jesús Sánchez
His struggles (.612 OPS since May 1) are no secret after an impressive April (.839). Without looking at the stats, you can tell by Sánchez’s demeanor. Expanding the zone too much takes away from his elite power, which he showcased on Thursday.

With Miami down one, the 24-year-old pinch-hit and anticipated a fastball. He got one from Hunter Strickland on his second ninth-inning homer of July.

“Two things: I think the first one, ‘Be happy,’” Sánchez said. “And the second one, ‘Be on time.’ If I'm on time, I feel like I'm going to be happy.”

1B Lewin Díaz
Díaz, who was recalled when Garrett Cooper was placed on the IL Tuesday, has been waiting in the wings for an everyday role but has been blocked by Aguilar and Cooper.

The 25-year-old’s glove work is unmatched in the Majors, but he acknowledged he needs to chase pitches less often in order to stick. Díaz closed out the series by reaching in six of his final eight plate appearances (three walks). Mattingly said it was the best he has seen from him.

“It's been a pretty good season for me since the beginning of the season,” Díaz said via an interpreter Tuesday. “I've been working mostly this year on my discipline, trying to swing at pitches in the strike zone. I think last year I didn't get many walks. This year, I feel like I'm getting a few more walks than the previous years.”

OF JJ Bleday
Less than 24 hours after recording his first homer, the 24-year-old Bleday recorded his second hitless performance in the last three games with three strikeouts.

Miami’s No. 4 prospect has been batting third somewhat out of necessity with Jorge Soler and Cooper sidelined and the Marlins wanting to spread out the lefty bats. That’s a lot of pressure for a player who debuted on Saturday.