Miami Marlins activate Giancarlo Stanton from DL

Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, a little over three weeks removed from sustaining a Grade 3 left groin strain.

Manager Don Mattingly announced the move prior to the Marlins' game against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

"He's basically a bat off the bench right now, and he will continue to rehab," Mattingly said of the three-time All-Star. "We feel like he will continue to get better and better. We'll see if he will be able to get back on the field or not to play the outfield and things like that."

Stanton sustained his injury on Aug. 13 while attempting to stretch a single into a double in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox. He was placed on the disabled list the following day and was initially expected to be sidelined up to six weeks.

Stanton is batting .244 with 25 homers and 70 RBIs in 103 games for the Marlins, who entered Tuesday's contest five games in back of the St. Louis Cardinals for the second National League wild card.