Marlins place C Liam Hicks on IL, DFA Christopher Morel

The Miami Marlins placed catcher Liam Hicks on the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game against the visiting San Francisco Giants and designated infielder Christopher Morel for assignment.

Miami also activated outfielder Griffin Conine (hamstring) from the 60-day injured list and recalled catcher Brian Navarreto from Triple-A Jacksonville.

The move regarding Hicks (lower back strain) is retroactive to Saturday. He was scratched from the lineup that night due to the injury and placed on the IL shortly before the start of Sunday's contest.

Hicks has excelled with team-best figures of 13 homers and 53 RBIs and is batting .278 in 73 games. His bat had led to him being utilized at first base and designated hitter when he wasn't behind the plate.

Morel, 26, was signed in the offseason but never got going with the Marlins. He hit just .162 without a homer in 22 games and struck out 28 times in 68 at-bats.

"Chris is a real pro," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. "He handled himself well through the difficult tenure here and (we) wish him the best."

Conine, 28, batted .273 with two homers and four RBIs in 11 games earlier this season before tearing his left hamstring.

Navaretto, 31, has played 13 seasons in the minors and got into two games for Miami in 2020 before briefly returning to the Marlins last season. He went 4-for-14 with one homer, two doubles and five RBIs in eight games. He was batting .211 with one homer and nine RBIs in 23 games for Jacksonville this season.

Miami also transferred right-hander Josh Ekness (right calf strain) to the 60-day injured list to open up a 40-man roster.

--Field Level Media