ST. PETERSBURG -- Not that the news comes as any surprise, not after months of speculation and wondering, but Giancarlo Stanton is officially done for the season. Stanton, who last played on June 26 when he broke the hamate bone in his left hand, was nowhere to be found Tuesday at Tropicana Field, and there was no locker with his name on it inside the visiting clubhouse here.

Manager Dan Jennings, who said it was "yay or nay" time for Stanton a few days ago, confirmed that the Marlins' slugger is a definite no-go for the final six games of the season after trying for three months to get back on the field.

"In fairness to Giancarlo, he gave his best effort trying to get back," Jennings said. "He wanted to be out playing. He just didn't have a comfort level in that hand. He tried, but it didn't let go."

Stanton said a couple of weeks ago that a hand specialist found "abnormal scar tissue" in his surgically repaired hand, which was a strong indication he wasn't going to make it back.

But Stanton and the Marlins held out hope the hand would be sufficiently strong enough to give it a shot. It didn't happen.

And so, for the second straight year, Stanton ended his season at home. Or wherever he happens to be at the moment. His 2014 season ended in mid-September when he was hit in the face with a pitch, and it was a given he wouldn't make it back. But this time, the initial prognosis was a four-to-six week recovery period and it was assumed he would be back for the final month, if not earlier.

Stanton was leading the league with 27 homers when he broke his hand in June and still ranks in the top 10 despite missing three months.

"He was on his way to be considered in the MVP race," Jennings said. "But he'll be back ready (in 2016)."