Casey Kotchman returning from DL, Wade LeBlanc to be designated for assignment

Mar 9, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay (19) dives back to first base before Miami Marlins first baseman Casey Kotchman (18) can apply the tag in the third inning during spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The wave of Miami Marlins players returning from the disabled list is going to start Monday, as the Miami Marlins will activate first baseman Casey Kotchman off the disabled list. Jordan Brown was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans after the Marlins 11-6 victory over the New York Mets to accommodate Kotchman on the active roster.

The team will also designate lefty Wade LeBlanc for assignment and selected the contract of prospect Edgar Olmos from the Jacksonville Suns.

Kotchman will return to the Marlins after leaving a game against the Washington Nationals on April 3rd with a left hamstring strain. Kotchman has missed a total of 55 games due to the leg injury. Casey only had five at bats for the Fish, going 0-for-5 in his stint before the injury.

Kotchman finished his rehab stint with the Marlins High-A affiliate, the Jupiter Hammerheads earlier this week. Casey finished the rehab stint 25 plate appearances, hitting to a .261/.320/.261 slash line. Expect him to see the majority of the time at first base until Logan Morrison finishes his rehab stint next week.

Wade LeBlanc was removed from the Marlins starting rotation after a May 6th start against the San Diego Padres. The team hoped that a move to the bullpen would allow LeBlanc to work out his issues. He owned a 6.11 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP in seven starts and a a 2.70 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in six appearances out of the bullpen.

Prospect Edgar Olmos was called up to take the place of LeBlanc. Olmos, like LeBlanc is a left handed pitcher. Olmos, a former Marlins third round pick in 2008, had been pitching in Double-A this season. He owns a 1.27 ERA, 6.4 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9 in 28 1/3 innings.

Our former Social Media Manager Will Stanifer had an interview with Olmos earlier this season.

Not sure what the Marlins motivation for this move, as LeBlanc was pitching better out of the pen, but the move does free up a 40-man roster the team may need with more injured players making their way back. Nathan Eovaldi is expected back sometime next week as well.

Olmos is already on the Marlins 40-man roster, so the move will make an additional roster spot available, more than likely reserved for Logan Morrison upon his return from the disabled list. The teams 40-man roster currently sits at 39.