CINCINNATI -- The Marlins are adding some position player depth from within. The club is expected to select the contract of Xavier Scruggs from Triple-A New Orleans on Friday and have him active for the series opener against the Pirates at PNC Park.
Miami has not yet announced the roster move. Scruggs, 28, has been scorching hot with the Zephyrs, batting .438 with five home runs and nine RBIs in his last 10 games. He has 26 games of big league experience with the Cardinals, most recently in July 2015.
A non-roster invitee in Spring Training, Scruggs has a slash line of .290/.408/.565 at New Orleans, with 21 home runs and 50 RBIs.
Scruggs did not play for New Orleans on Thursday, but as the designated hitter on Wednesday, he hit two home runs at Salt Lake City.
For days, there has been speculation that Scruggs was close to joining the Marlins. A right-handed hitter, he can play first base or handle a corner outfield spot. Miami has been monitoring the trade market in advance of the Aug. 31 waiver Deadline, and has been considering veteran outfielder Carlos Gómez.
Scruggs has had two brief stints in the big leagues, in 2014 and '15 while with St. Louis. Last year, he was active in 17 games and batted .262 in 42 at-bats.
A 19th-round Draft pick of the Cardinals in 2008, Scruggs' MLB line is .246/.295/.298 with nine RBIs.
As a corresponding move, the Marlins will likely part with a pitcher to make room for Scruggs. The club has been going with 13 pitchers and 12 position players.