JUPITER, Fla. -- Florida Marlins center fielder Cameron Maybin learned a scary lesson over the weekend.
Maybin said his strained left groin felt better Monday, but he'll miss at least a few spring training games. He was hurt rounding third base while scoring from first on a double Sunday against St. Louis.
"I was trying to hit another gear," Maybin said. "I felt so fast and I was thinking, `Let's see if I can run a little faster.' I think I tried to do too much."
A day later, Maybin said his groin felt tight, but there was little pain. The best-case scenario would be for him to rejoin the lineup late this week, manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
"I'm definitely going to take my time," said Maybin, who had never injured his groin before. "I talked to a lot of guys who have had groin injuries, and they all say whatever you do, don't rush it, because the last thing you want to do is pull it."
Maybin, 22, was a key part of the trade that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers, and two years later he's still trying to establish himself in the big leagues. He hit .250 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 54 games with Florida last year.
The Marlins have said the center field job is Maybin's to lose after he spent most of last season in Triple-A.