Inbox: Can Marlins make one final push?

Justin Bour was out significantly longer than expected, and Giancarlo Stanton is back far ahead of schedule. Who is making these diagnoses? — @JasonParness

In Bour’s case, he rolled his right ankle on July 2, and he initially tried to play through it. He eventually went on the disabled list with the hope of returning in 15 days. But the inflammation didn’t go away, leading to more discomfort, and he missed two full months.

Stanton’s injury was called a Grade 3 left groin strain. Initially, the timeline was six to eight weeks, meaning the best-case scenario was returning later this month. Stanton worked diligently to be back as soon as possible, and he made it back in three weeks. But keep in mind, with rosters expanding in September, Stanton’s initial role is strictly to pinch-hit. He can handle swinging the bat and jogging to a base. I would anticipate he could play right field in about a week to 10 days, at the earliest.

Is there still hope for the season? — @armanim06

The downward slide the Marlins have been on the past few weeks, obviously, has seriously dented their Wild Card hopes. But there is still a shot if they get hot the final three weeks. Keep in mind, this club made great strides to be in contention through five months, but it was really set back by injuries in the second half. If the playoffs are not meant to be, finishing over .500 for the first time since 2009 is an important step for many of these players who have only experienced losing seasons.

Do you think the Marlins will re-sign Martin Prado? How much would they have to pay him? — @ericg0415

The organization has already approached Prado and his representatives about wanting him back for …

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