A day after losing Giancarlo Stanton to a serious injury, the Miami Marlins kept him around the best they could by hanging his jersey in the dugout.

Stanton could miss the rest of the season after being hit in the face with a pitch on Thursday. The MVP candidate sustained facial fractures that will heal on their own in time. The fractures are non-displaced which means surgery is not necessary.

In a visit with the Marlins' TV team on Friday, General Manager Dan Jennings stated that Stanton ate on the plane ride home from Milwaukee and was in good spirits. The slugger even mentioned he plans to return and soon. It remains to be seen if he will be cleared before the season comes to an end in less than three weeks.

The Marlins have rallied together as a team after losing their best player and arguably the best player in the entire National League. Following the devastating moment in the previous game, improved team camaraderie was evident.

Stanton's jersey hanging in the dugout brought back memories of 1997 when the then Florida Marlins put a #32 on their hats. That was for Alex Fernandez who had a season-ending injury while serving as one of the top pitchers in the starting rotation.

It was has been a troubling season for the Marlins where they have seen their top pitcher and top hitter both go down with serious injuries. Jose Fernandez will likely miss at least half of next season as well. As for Stanton, it remains unlikely he returns this year but the slugger seems intent on giving it his best.

Stanton will enter the 2015 season with two years left under team control. The Marlins are also expected to approach him with an extension.