Alex Rodriguez may soon get a call soon from his hometown team.
The Miami Marlins are in the market for a power hitter to replace injured slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who likely will miss the rest of the regular season. They’re discussing whether to reach out to Rodriguez, president of baseball operations Michael Hill said Sunday.
Stanton strained his groin Saturday and is expected to be sidelined at least six weeks. Rodriguez, who grew up in South Florida and still lives there, played his final game for the New York Yankees on Friday.
“We’re going to look at everything,” Hill said. “There has been information out there about his situation. I have no idea what his interest level is to continue playing. He has something set up to move into the Yankees front office; I don’t know where his head is on that.”
Stanton, this year’s Home Run Derby winner, leads the Marlins with 25 homers and 70 RBIs while batting .244. Justin Bour, who has 15 home runs, is sidelined with an ankle injury, creating a void at first base that Rodriguez could help fill.
The Marlins are contending for their first playoff berth since 2003. To overcome the loss of Stanton, Hill said, the front office will consider all options — including Rodriguez.
“This team has played too well for too long,” Hill said. “We’re right in the thick of this thing, and we’re going to do everything in our power to help in any way we can. If it’s him, if it’s someone else, we’re going to try to find a way to make it happen.
“We’re putting together our list of options. He’s an available player, so he’ll be on that list, and we’ll see where it goes.”
Rodriguez, 41, was unconditionally released Saturday by Yankees. He was batting .200 and said he’s unsure whether he’ll play again.
He needs only four homers to become the fourth player to hit 700, and the looming milestone might be a lure to continue his 22-year career. But he has played little in the field since 2013, complicating any role he might have with an NL team.
Stanton and left-hander Adam Conley went on the disabled list Sunday, a double whammy for Miami.
Stanton hurt his left groin trying to stretch a single into a double. He went down awkwardly and was tagged out at second base to end an 8-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Red Sox moves
The Boston Red Sox are going to put knuckleballer Steven Wright on the 15-day disabled list and first baseman Hanley Ramirez on the bereavement list.
Manager John Farrell announced the plans after a 16-2 win over Arizona on Sunday. The playoff-contending Red Sox begin an 11-game road trip Monday in Cleveland.
Wright is 13-5 with a 3.01 ERA. The right-hander jammed his pitching shoulder last weekend as a pinch-runner, diving back into second base at Dodger Stadium.
“While he’s making progress, we felt like it probably wasn’t the time to push this,” Farrell said. “It gives us an opportunity to go back to another position player.”
Farrell said Clay Buchholz, who took Wright’s turn in the rotation, will start Thursday in Detroit.
Ramirez got three hits Sunday. He is hitting .275 with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs. No further details were provided on why he’ll be away.