The Marlins could soon be installing a pair of veteran arms into their struggling young rotation. Craig Mish of SiriusXM reports that lefty Wei-Yin Chen will be activated to start Saturday’s game against the Rockies (Twitter link), and it seems that right-hander Dan Straily won’t be far behind (link via Doug Padilla at MLB.com). Straily tossed 88 pitches in yesterday’s rehab assignment and, so long as his arm feels good today, his next outing will likely be at the big league level.
Late last season, the Marlins organization expressed uncertainty as to whether Chen, who had a minor tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, would be able to pitch at all in 2018. However, he’s made multiple rehab starts in extended spring camp and Class-A Advanced and is now set for his 2018 debut. MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro tweets that a scout who was at Chen’s most recent start felt he looked ready to return to the big leagues. Chen allowed one run on five hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings in his two Class-A rehab appearances.
A healthy Chen would have to be considered a huge bonus for the Marlins, who have routinely trotted out a collection of inexperienced arms thus far in the season. Jose Urena is the most seasoned arm in the Marlins’ rotation at present, with rookies Caleb Smith, Trevor Richards and Dillon Peters following him up. Lefty Jarlin Garcia technically isn’t a rookie, but this is his first big league season as a starter and just his second year in the Majors overall.
The 32-year-old Chen, unsurprisingly, forwent the opt-out clause in his five-year, $80MM contract this offseason, as opting out would’ve meant leaving $52MM on the table. That enormous financial commitment remains immovable for a Miami team that tore down the vast majority of its roster this offseason, and that’s highly unlikely to change regardless of how Chen performs. If Chen rounds into form, though, perhaps we’ll see Miami offer to eat a notable chunk of the remaining salary on his contract this July in an effort to at least partially unburden themselves — though a lot will need to go their way for that to even be possible.
Miami inked Chen prior to the 2016 season in large part due to the durability he displayed with the Orioles. While he never cleared the 200-inning mark in the regular season, Chen averaged 29 starts per year (30 if you count his postseason work). Since signing in Miami, however, he’s pitched a total of just 156 1/3 innings over two seasons combined, due to the previously mentioned elbow issues.
Straily, on the disabled list for the first time in his big league career, has also been working his way back via minor league rehab appearances after his 2018 debut was delayed by a forearm injury. Unlike Chen, he’ll immediately become a relatively desirable trade asset, assuming good health. Controlled for two seasons beyond 2018 and earning a modest $3.375MM this season, Straily has made 64 starts and pitched to a combined 4.01 ERA over the past two seasons combined. Straily drew plenty of interest on the trade market last summer, and it stands to reason that he’ll be in demand again as one of the few controllable starters available in trade.
With these two in the fold, maybe the Marlins will lose 103 games instead of 107.
Xabial rocks…..
Thats not the common opinion….
At least I contribute?
Have yet to see post from you, not attacking, criticizing, calling out other people, who didn’t post in thread..
“That’s not the common opinion.”
Who the eff appointed you site spokeshole? Unless you have a pile of proxies from other users you’re best off speaking only for yourself.
Before anyone says anything.. jorge78 was defending me from posts, that’s been since deleted. Thanks, buddy. ^^
It’s amazing how many people get ticked off over such little things. I don’t know if it’s the same person, but there is some seriously thin skinned people on this site
You are replied to #1, FYI.
Chen pitched against the Port St Lucie Mets. Sat 90-91 on both his 4 seam FB and his sinker which is about what he did in his last outings in the majors. He had sharp bite on his curve and good movement and sink on his changeup. It’s not the 93-95 he was throwing as an Oriole. but its major league quality. He overmatched these A ball hitters.
Not sure why he is being called up after just 2 rehab outings and only throwing 70 pitches against the Mets farmhands, but that is on the Marlins. Maybe they are hoping to get a half dozen decent outings out of him so someone will trade for him.
90-91? In my opinion, anything above 90 mph is a success.
I’m not a Marlins’ fan, but extremely Happy Chen avoided a 2nd career Tommy John surgery.
They want to be cautious with Chen. Marlins hope to find some way to deal him without further setback(s). Not sure who’d take Chen and his salary but we’ve seen things happen.
He was starting sim games for them in extended Spring Training, as well. I imagine he’d be on a pitch limit whether he’d thrown 70 or 85 pitches in his most recent rehab outing, and perhaps they just want to get one or more of the struggling rookies a break to get straightened out in the minors ASAP.
“The 32-year-old Chen, unsurprisingly, forwent the opt-out clause in his five-year, $80MM contract this offseason, as opting out would’ve meant leaving $52MM on the table.”
Technically, Steve but you left out two signing bonus installments, he wouldve also forwent had he opted out. The actual number he would’ve left, had he opted out — three years, $65 million.