Marlins president: Stanton will return this season

Michael Hill is feeling good.

When the topic of Giancarlo Stanton being on the disabled list came up, the Miami Marlins president said the words every fish fan wanted to hear.

"He's going to be back," Hill told MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. "He's told me he's going to be back. He's going to help this team get into October and help us get through October."

Stanton has been on the disabled list since Aug. 14 after suffering a Grade 3 left groin strain, and it appeared as though his season was over.

The Marlins are currently in the hunt for playoff baseball, sitting 1 1/2 games out of a NL wild-card spot. Stanton has 25 home runs and 70 RBIs, but has yet to resume baseball-related activities.

"His rehab, to this point, has been great," Hill said. "All of the feedback we've been getting has been very positive, and he's in good spirits."

When he went down with his injury, it seemed to make sense that Miami would go after Alex Rodriguez, who was released by the New York Yankees, or Carlos Gomez, who was released by the Houston Astros.

A-Rod instead shut it down for the season, while Gomez signed with the Texas Rangers. The Marlins opted to go with Ichiro Suzuki, who has five hits and seven strikeouts since Stanton's injury, in right field.

Until his return, though, the Marlins don't plan on rushing him back, but Hill is optimistic.

"I don't think we'll be able to truly assess where he's at until he is doing functional, on-field stuff," Hill said. "In terms of the healing process and regaining strength and everything in that area, he's been great."