Miami Marlins first baseman Jesus Aguilar, who leads the team in hits, home runs and RBIs, was designated for assignment on Friday.

The Marlins (54-70) will give their younger players more action, while Aguilar will have the opportunity to catch on with a playoff contender. Wednesday is the deadline for players to be on a team’s roster in order to be eligible for the postseason.

“We just felt the at-bats were going to be a lot less for him,” Marlins general manager Kim Ng told reporters Friday. “We’re giving time to others for their at-bats.”

Aguilar, 32, was on a one-year, $7.5 million contract in 2022 that included a $10 million mutual option for 2023.

Aguilar, who had played for Miami since 2020, said he was thankful for his time with the Marlins.

“Hopefully, I can be on one of those teams that are competing for a playoff spot,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar was batting .236 over 113 games and led the club with 98 hits, 15 homers and 49 RBIs. In his three years with the club after stints with Cleveland, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay, he batted .254 with 51 doubles, 45 home runs and 176 RBIs.

In a corresponding move, the Marlins activated All-Star first baseman Garrett Cooper from the seven-day concussion list. The 31-year-old is batting .269 with seven homers and 42 RBIs in 94 games.

–Field Level Media