Don Mattingly recognized Garrett Cooper was scuffling. The Miami Marlins’ first baseman/designated hitter had one hit over his last five starts, a stretch that included 18 plate appearances.
So the manager keep Cooper out of the lineup Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.
“You could tell he was out of sorts a little bit,” Mattingly said. “He’s been not really himself. He was able to come out and do some early work. Hopefully that sinks in and we can get him back in there tomorrow.”
Mattingly didn’t have to wait until Sunday.