Aviles struggled to find playing time in 2017, appearing in only 36 games after being called up from Triple-A New Orleans in late July. In the last 30 games of the season, Aviles batted .161 in 31 at-bats, and he failed to record an extra-base hit. Based on this poor performance, it's unlikely that his role would change much heading into next season.

It was the veteran utility infielder's first big-league home run of the year, as he needed only seven games with Miami to match his total in 55 games this season with Triple-A New Orleans. Aviles is now slashing .313/.389/.500 with the Marlins as he sees semi-regular playing time with J.T. Riddle (shoulder) and Martin Prado (knee) both sidelined.

J.T. Riddle was placed on the 10-day DL with biceps tendinitis as a corresponding move, so Aviles figures to see time at shortstop while backup Miguel Rojas nurses a shoulder injury. Aviles, a 36-year-old veteran, was hitting .292/.326/.376 with one home run in 196 plate appearances at Triple-A.

With J.T. Riddle (shoulder) expected to land on the disabled list and Miguel Rojas (shoulder) day-to-day, the Marlins are getting dangerously low on depth in the middle infield, so Aviles will move back to the big leagues to provide some relief. Rojas is scheduled to visit a doctor Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury, but since it's a good possibility Rojas will be sidelined later in the evening, Aviles could enter the lineup right away. The veteran utility man is batting .292/.326/.376 over 196 plate appearances with New Orleans this season.