Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will open the year in the Marlins’ bullpen, Wells Dusenbery of the Sun Sentinel tweets. It’s the latest less-than-ideal development in what has been a subpar Marlins tenure for Chen. The 33-year-old did take this setback in stride, though, per Dusenbery. Now in the fourth season of a five-year, $80MM contract, Chen has pitched to a 4.75 ERA/4.38 FIP with 7.33 K/9 and 2.49 BB/9 in 289 2/3 innings since going from Baltimore to Miami. Fifty-three of Chen’s 57 Marlins appearances have come as a starter, including all 26 last season.
Elsewhere in Miami’s staff, the club has shut down Rule 5 pick Riley Ferrell because of biceps tendinitis, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. The Marlins had been leaning toward keeping the 25-year-old right-hander, whom they plucked from Houston in December. Ferrell could factor into the Fish’s bullpen plans this season if he’s healthy and retained.
The latest on a few other NL teams…
- Cardinals infielder Jedd Gyorko is likely to start 2019 on the 10-day injured list, which will lead to roster spots for Yairo Munoz and Drew Robinson, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports. Gyorko has been dealing with a calf problem throughout the month. He’ll be an important bench player for the Cardinals when he returns, having posted three straight above-average offensive seasons with the club over a combined 1,321 plate appearances.
- Likewise, Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud seems ticketed for the IL, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com relays. The oft-injured d’Arnaud is still working back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent on his right elbow last May. With d’Arnaud out and Devin Mesoraco having failed to make the team, it appears Tomas Nido will open the season as Wilson Ramos’ backup. Aside from d’Arnaud and Ramos, Nido is the lone catcher on the Mets’ 40-man roster.
- Infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick won’t begin the year on the Nationals’ roster, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com. Kendrick will instead remain in Florida to continue rehabbing from the hamstring strain he suffered two-plus weeks ago. It’s unclear when Kendrick will rejoin the Nationals, but when he does, he’ll be in line for his first major league action since incurring a ruptured right Achilles last May. That catastrophic injury derailed what was shaping up to be another quality offensive campaign for Kendrick.
Gee what surprising news about Darnaud. Didn’t see that coming.
I know you’re trying to be sarcastic but d’Arnaud never truthfully had a chance to go North. Extended Spring or IL was always going to be the case as he still needs to strengthen his throwing post-injury.
About time that the marlins do something about Chen
Disabled list
Injured List, technically
The league officially changed the name
Nido over Mesoraco? I don’t agree with that one.
Nido is better defensively but more importantly is already on the 40 man roster. To put Mesoraco on would’ve cost someone else. If d’Arnaud needed to go on the 60 day then I bet Mesoraco would’ve made the team.
TdA is almost up to a full game behind the plate but needs a few more starts so they will keep him down.
Changing the 40 man and keeping Mes makes little sense as it seems TdA is ahead of him on the depth chart because of his defense.
So the spot Nido is occupying is a two week spot as backup. Ramos will catch almost every game. As soon as TdA is ready he will take over that backup role.
Correlation was drawn that Nido ‘s eye sight might have been causing his hitting to be inadequate. Spring results haven’t shown any changes however
Thought the injured list was 15 days?
I think they changed it this off season.
Agreed on in 2016 as part of labor agreements. They’re considering going back to 15
Chen should be released.
Hmm. I thought Mes looked like a contributor this spring for the Mets. I would rather have him than Nido.
Cards should dealt Jedd 2 seasons ago when he was hot!
Look at the Cards’ depth in the upper minors behind Jedd though the last few years. He’s the only guy that’s starting caliber. Munoz and Robinson are just bench player caliber, so they’ll be fine as long as Carp is healthy. They really need Gyorko this year to help bridge the depth gap to Gorman, Montero, and others in the lower minors.
I like Mesoraco better than Nido but sometimes you have to let the young guys play. It’s not like either offers major upside
Get well soon Howie. Nats need your bat.
I cant say that this surprises me much. I personally from th beginning didnt think he would be ready until May and We already have Nido on the roster there really is no reason to offer D.Mosaraco a contract because he isn’t as good defensively as T.Nido the only strength he has over T.Nido is he has some pop in his bat but he doesnt hit for avg. he just hits a few singles here and there and some home runs. I understand J.DeGroom liked to pitch to him but he will get over it.. I liked Darnaud I think the thing that kills him is throwing out runners but he has a good bat and he calls a good game. I am sure we will see him in about a month.
So Tug, don’t you think it’s embarrassing when your catcher needs two or three bounces to reach second base?