MILWAUKEE (AP) - After facing Giancarlo Stanton for the first time, the Miami Marlins got to take on Christian Yelich.
Stanton was dealt to the New York Yankees during the Marlins’ offseason teardown, and Yelich was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers. Dee Gordon and Marcell Ozuna also were jettisoned as part of the payroll purge under new CEO Derek Jeter.
“He’s a great kid,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said ahead of Thursday’s series opener against the Brewers. “I loved having him. He can really hit. He’ll be a handful to get out.”
Milwaukee sent top prospect, Lewis Brinson and three other minor leaguers to the Marlins in January for Yelich, a Gold Glove winner in 2014.
Yelich started 10 for 27, then hurt an oblique and went on the disabled list. He returned Wednesday and went 1 for 2.
“It was definitely frustrating but those things happen,” Yelich said. “We’ve got guys who were able to step in and we were able to win some games. It’s good to be back. I’m looking forward to being out there.”
Yelich and center fielder Lorenzo Cain, who signed a free agent, were together in the batting order for the first time since April 4.
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