Bonifacio plans to be back at the break
Center fielder Emilio Bonifacio has had a tough time watching his teammates struggle through a 4-15 June, but he said he'll be ready to join the Miami Marlins after the All Star break.
Bonifacio, on the disabled list with a jammed left thumb, took 25 swings from the right side Friday and will swing from the left side Saturday. If all goes as planned, he will start live hitting next week.
Bonifacio said he has been throwing and doing other exercises to stay in shape. He has not tried catching balls yet.
He said he does not think he will need to play in rehabilitation games in the minor leagues.
"For me, tomorrow," Bonifacio said when asked when he wants to return. "It all depends on what the doctors say. They've said the All-Star break. They don't want to rush."
Bonifacio was hitting .268 before his injury, with 20 stolen bases in 21 attempts and a .350 on-base percentage. In Bonifacio's place, the Marlins have used Chris Coghlan, Scott Cousins, Bryan Petersen and Justin Ruggiano, who got the start in center Friday night and went 1-for-3 with two walks in Miami's 12-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Owner Jeffrey Loria has said it's no surprise that the team's struggles have coincided with Bonifacio's injury.
The Marlins are 12-18 since Bonifacio got hurt.
"I'm not saying if I were there, we'd start winning," Bonifacio said. "But you want to be out there with your teammates."
