The Marlins on Thursday removed an obstacle that might have prevented 37-year-old Josh Booty from trying to make a comeback as a knuckleball pitcher. The Marlins filed paperwork to release Booty, which will allow him to make the D-Backs team if he has a strong spring.

Booty is still considered a long shot to make the team out of camp or make any sort of major contribution, but at least he has received an opportunity to rejuvenate his MLB career, this time as a pitcher.

Placido Polanco dealt with back issues last season and they seem to be a concern early on the Spring for the third baseman. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Placido Polanco Aching Back?

Marlins new starting third baseman, Placdio Polanco has experienced mild back tightness the past few days, with cold weather entering the picture. Due to the back pain, the Marlins have decided to give Polanco a couple of days off.

The Marlins will have their first off-day of the Spring on Monday and with Polanco sitting out of the Marlins game on Saturday and Sunday. The team hopes he can return to the lineup on Tuesday when the Marlins face off with Team Venezuela at Roger Dean Stadium.

Back issues hindered Polanco last season with the Philadelphia Phillies as well, as he was limited to just 90 games. Polanco’s poor performance last season was attributed with his back issues, but Polanco claims that this injury is not related to what he experienced last season:

“It has nothing to do with what I’ve had before,” Polanco said.

Polanco’s health will be something for Marlins fans to watch, as the team does not seem to have an adequate replacement on the roster to play third on a regular basis for the Marlins if these back issues linger for Polanco. Zack Cox and Chris Coghlan are two options that the Marlins could go with, but Greg Dobbs is someone the Marlins should avoid giving regular playing time to.

Could Josh Booty become the next big name at Marlins Park? Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Even though he is in camp with the Diamondbacks, if he were to put up an impressive performance this spring and have a shot at making the team out of camp, he would never have a chance to wear a D-Backs jersey. That is according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Apparently, Booty’s rights technically still belong to the Miami Marlins.

Booty was extended an invite to Arizona’s Spring Training after learning to throw the best knuckleball in the reality series. Neither the Diamondbacks nor Major League Baseball realized that Booty was still under contract with the Marlins, as he had voluntarily retired from the team, while still under contract.

No one was aware of this until Booty reported to camp last week. According to Rosenthal, both teams and league reached an agreement, permitting Booty to remain in camp with the Diamondbacks. However, if Arizona considers adding him to their roster at the end of Spring Training, the Marlins have the right to reclaim him. Miami would also have the right claim him if he accepts an assignment the Diamondbacks.

The Marlins took Josh Booty fifth overall in the 1994 draft and awarded him $1.6 Million signing bonus. While Booty never lived up to the potential that made the Marlins draft him so high, Booty appeared in 13 games as an infielder for the Marlins between 1996 and ’98. Booty was actually part of the team’s World Series championship club in 1997 and earned a World Series ring.

In 1999, when Booty realized his MLB career was going nowhere, he decided to return to football. He spent two seasons playing quarterback for Louisiana State Tigers before the Seattle Seahawks selected him in the sixth round of the 2001 draft.

Booty spent three years in the NFL as a back-up quarterback with the Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Oakland Raiders, before stepping away from the NFL as well. Booty never got into a game in his pro football career.

In winning the reality show, “The Next Knuckler,” Booty beat out former Buffalo Bills star quarterback Doug Flutie as well as his brother John David Booty, who was quarterbacked at USC and also made it to the NFL.

Although Booty becoming a successful knuckerballer at the age of 37 are pretty slim, it should be noted that knuckerballers do age better than a regular pitcher (ie. R.A. Dickey, Tim Wakefield, former Marlins Charlie Hough, etc.)

For the Marlins sake, let’s hope he can morph into one of those aforementioned pitchers. Like when the Marlins were able to steal Dan Uggla, it would be at the Diamondbacks expense.