MIAMI (AP) — Slumping Chris Coghlan is replacing slumping Cameron Maybin at the top of the batting order for the slumping Florida Marlins.
Coghlan went into Thursday night’s game against San Francisco with a .180 batting average and no extra-base hits. His slugging percentage — also .180 — was by far the lowest of everyday players in the major leagues.
Maybin was batting .238 and was tied for second in the majors with 36 strikeouts. He struck out three times Wednesday when the Marlins lost their second game in a row to fall below .500.
Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez has dropped Coghlan to the second spot and benched him occasionally, but the 2009 NL Rookie of the Year continues to struggle.
Maybin was given the night off against right-hander Matt Cain.
