Feb 22, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins player Jake Marisnick (77) poses for a picture during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Triple-A:

New Orleans Zephyrs (18-21) @ Fresno Grizzlies (23-19)

Loss 6-1

Box Score

Bryan Petersen, RF: 1-for-3, RBI, BB

Kyle Skipworth, C: 1-for-4, 2 SO

Doug Mathis, SP: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO

Dan Jennings, RP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB

Skipworth has struggled in 2013 with his batting and one has to wonder if the Marlins calling him up to the majors multiple times and not providing any playing time has had any lingering effect on him. Skip owns a .167/.250/.167 slash line with 6 strikeouts in 18 at bats.

Double-A:

Jacksonville Suns (23-15) @ Mississippi Braves (25-16)

Win 2-1

Box Score

Jake Marisnick, RF: 0-for-4, 3 SO

Noah Perio, 2B: 1-for-3, 2 RBI

Jay Jackson, SP: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO

Edgar Olmos, RP: 0.1 IP, SV (1)

Jake Marisnick had a rough game at the plate, going hitless and striking out three times. His line on the season now sits at .224/.277/.362. Marisnick is currently in midst of a spell where he is 3 for his last 20. He is still recovering from his broken hand he sustained in spring training and should improve as the season carries on.

Jay Jackson continues to have a strong season, although he is 26-years old and a little old for the level. Jackson owns a 2.45 ERA in 25 2/3 innings with 23 strikeouts and just 6 walks.

High Class A:

Jupiter Hammerheads (21-19) vs. Palm Beach Cardinals (17-23)

Win 2-1

Box Score

Brent Keys, LF: 2-for-4, BB, R

Isaac Galloway, CF: 0-for-4, 3 SO

Jared Rogers, SP: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO

Jake Esch, RP: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 SO

Brent Keys continues hitting in 2013, with two more hits on Friday night, Keys brought his season slash line to .364/.444/.436.  Keys also picked up his fourth stolen base of the season. Keys is on pace to surpass his impressive 2012 numbers and become a bigger part of the Marlins future as a prospect.

Low Class A:

Greensboro Grasshoppers (16-24) vs. Lakewood BlueClaws (17-23)

Loss 6-3

Box Score

Anthony Gomez, SS: 3-for-5, RBI

Matt Juengel, DH: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, 2 BB

Austin Brice, SP: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO

Helpi Reyes, RP: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB

Shortstop Anthony Gomez is off to a hot start in 2013, owning a .291/.331/.369 slash line. In his previous 10 games, Gomez has hit .417/.436/.528 slash line with one of the two home runs he has hit this season. Gomez was the Marlins sixth round pick in 2012 out of Vanderbilt.

Mar 23, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Kyle Skipworth (53) in the first inning during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Kearns had to suddenly leave the Miami Marlins yesterday to attend to a personal matter. As was expected, the Marlins placed Kearns on the bereavement list today and recalled catcher Kyle Skipworth.

#Marlins call up c Kyle skipworth to replace Austin Kearns

— Joe Capozzi (@joecapMARLINS) May 5, 2013

Kearns can be away from the team no less than three games, but no more than seven. The Marlins don’t expect him to join the team in San Diego, as they take on the Padres from Monday to Wednesday. Hopefully everything is alright for Kearns and his family. Austin has not had the easiest 2013, as he has already dealt with an irregular heartbeat and has not fared well at the plate. He owns a .185/.290/.185 slash line early on.

With Kearns hitting the bereavement list, the Marlins had to select someone from their 40-man roster to take his spot. The only options for the Marlins on their 40-man roster were Skipworth and outfielder Kyle Jensen. The team felt Skip was the better option to callup.

Skipworth had just three plate appearance in his earlier stint with the Marlins. He drew a walk, but went hit less. The former first round pick did not receive much playing time and will likely not get much this go-around either. Skipworth posted a .143/.250/.143 slash line in 16 plate appearances in Triple-A.

Injury Updates:

Donovan Solano was a late scratch last night due to soreness on his left-side. Solano was out of the lineup again today and hopes to return sometime next week against the San Diego Padres. A stint on the disabled list has not been yet ruled out for Solano.

Miguel Olivo will be catching for the second straight game as Rob Brantly is still bothered by his cut finger. The injury does not seem to concern the Marlins, but the move to callup Skipworth seems to be a precautionary move.

Feb 22, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Logan Morrison (5) poses for a picture during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Logan Morrison is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list on June 1st, but the Marlins will hold him out till mid-June. LoMo did not participate in spring training at all, so the Marlins figure to give him an extended rehab stint to work his way back.

Jeff Mathis has gone 4-f0r-13 with two doubles in his rehab stint with the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Mathis is still working his way back from his broken collarbone and could return to the Marlins very soon.

Pitcher Henderson Alvarez has been shutdown by the Marlins after suffering a setback in his recovery from shoulder inflammation. Alvarez felt soreness after throwing to hitters a few days ago and the Marlins decide to shut him down. The Marlins plan to give Alvarez a couple of days of rest and see how he feels.

Mar 9, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Joe Mahoney (25) against the Washington Nationals during a spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

After the Miami Marlins won their third game of the season, defeating the Washington Nationals 8-2, the Marlins made a roster move to accommodate one of their first baseman coming back from injury. Catcher Kyle Skipworth was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans and the team will reinstate Joe Mahoney off the disabled list tomorrow.

#Marlins move: Kyle Skipworth optioned to NOLA; Joe Mahoney to be reinstated from DL tomorrow

— Joe Capozzi (@joecapMARLINS) April 17, 2013

Mahoney will likely step right into the starting first base role for the Miami Marlins. This will allow veteran Greg Dobbs to go back to his role as the Marlins primary pinch hitter. He had been in the competition with Casey Kotchman to be the Marlins starting first basemen until Logan Morrison returned, but an oblique injury knocked him out of the race.

Joe Mahoney is a former sixth-round draft pick out of the University of Richmond. Mahoney has recieved some love as a prospect in the past, being ranked as the tenth-best prospect on the Baltimore Orioles prior to 2012 by FanGraphs’s Marc Hulet. Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus ranked Mahoney as the 13th best prospect in the O’s system just last season.

Mahoney has a big frame 6’7 and should provide an additional batter to provide some pop for the Marlins in their lineup, beyond Justin Ruggiano and Giancarlo Stanton.

Kyle Skipworth was brought up by the Marlins when Kotchman went down with a hamstring issue. The Marlins did not have an immediate first base option in their minor league system, so the team decided they would give catcher Miguel Olivo a crack at first. Hence, the team decided a third catcher would be necessary. Olivo never played at first for the team.

Mar 9, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Miami Marlins center fielder Gorkys Hernandez (2) against the Washington Nationals during a spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

In the middle of the third inning, manager Mike Redmond removed outfielder Gorkys Hernandez from the game, without any apparent reason. Hernandez was not hurt and Redmond did not offer any solid reason as to why Hernandez was removed so abruptly.

“We just got him in there and got him an at-bat. He’s fine,’’ Redmond said.

This move would make sense, if the Marlins wanted to see someone else get some at-bats that could make the team. That was not the case, as Daniel Pertusati came into replace Gorkys.

So what could the reasoning be behind the sudden removal? Hernandez is out of options, meaning the Marlins would have to keep him on the 25-man roster or risk losing him on waivers.

Hernandez believes that a trade could be in the works, thus resulting in his removal from the game, to avoid any sort of injury. That would make a lot of sense and it would be interesting to see what the Marlins can get for him. The Marlins acquired Gorkys last season from the Pittsburgh Pirates last season for Gaby Sanchez.

If Gorkys is indeed traded, this would open the door for Chris Coghlan to make the team and possibly platoon with Justin Ruggiano in center.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Koyie Hill Backup?

Before today’s game, Mike Redmond said he was not comfortable about having two inexperienced catchers on the active roster, in Rob Brantly and Kyle Skipworth.

With the injury to Jeff Mathis at the beginning of camp, Skipworth was the favorite to land the backup catching role, as the Marlins did not have many other options. Skipworth had never played above Double-A in his career, so a jump the majors would be a huge one.

The Marlins signed Koyie Hill a couple of days ago. He started the game today and went 1-for-2, driving in a run. Redmond says not to rule out the possibility of Hill overtaking Skipworth as the backup:

“It could happen. It could,” Redmond said. “It’s a perfect fit for what we need.”

Hill is a career .210 hitter, but he provides a right handed backup to Brantly and has more major league experience. It will be interesting to see what the Marlins do here.

In the case Hill does make the team, the Marlins will have to make a few 40 man roster moves to accommodate Hill and the other players that have been told they are making the team.

Flash forward four years and Skipworth has failed to live up to his expectations, but he still has a decent shot to make the Marlins roster, because of the injury to Mathis:

“Obviously, the circumstances that came about were not the ones that you want, as a teammate and now a friend of Jeff’s,” he said, bringing up the veteran Mathis’ collarbone injury. “You never want to see anyone get hurt.

“With that being said, often times, when guys get hurt is when people are able to have an opportunity.”

Mar 23, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Kyle Skipworth (53) in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Skipworth has not done too much damage with his bat, something he was well touted for out of high school. He has hit a measly .167 this spring and has not shown any of the power he has been known for. Rather, his five walks in 31-plate appearances and strong defense has impressed the Marlins enough to give him a shot in the majors.

There is still a shot the Marlins sign another catcher and let Skipworth play regularly at Triple-A, but listening to Redmond, that does not seem to be in the cards:

“That’s the situation we’re in,” Redmond said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for him. He’s a strong physical catcher. He’s got a good arm. And from what I’ve seen, he’s got some pop in his bat, too.”

Here is a look back at the articles that were posted on Marlin Maniac last week:

Game Recaps:

The Marlins played six games this week, going 2-4 this week. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we missed the recap for Friday’s game and Andy should have his recap up later today. Here are the rest of the recaps:

Monday (3/18/13): Miami Marlins Defeat Minnesota Twins In Rain-Shortened Game

Tuesday (3/19/13): Miami Marlins Fall to St. Louis Cardinals Behind Struggling Jacob Turner, 5-4

Wednesday (3/20/13): Game Recap: Big Innings Sink LeBlanc As Washington Nationals Top Miami Marlins, 7-5

Saturday (3/23/13): Game Recap: Chris Coghlan, Miami Marlins Walk Off Against St. Louis Cardinals, 6-5

Now we will take a look back at the main articles posted on MM last week:

Ehsan Kassim:

• Here is the recap from last week: MM Weekly Recap: Miami Marlins Roster Taking Shape
• I questioned, with his soaring popularity, should the Miami Marlins look to deal their closer Steve Cishek?
• I continued my top 20 Marlin Maniac prospect list: Jose Urena was the #9 prospect, with Rob Brantly coming in at #8, and finally Adeiny Hechavarria at #7.
• Find out how the Miami Marlins have placed themselves in a no-win situation with their fans. Seems like the team is more interested in suing their fans then them attending the games.
• With no clear front-runner for the center field job, it looks like the Marlins want to use a three-man committee to man center. Also check out in this article some of the best links from around the Marlins blogosphere.
• Jeff Mathis and Logan Morrison are progressing from their injuries and both of them have set timelines for when they would like to return for action.
• I took a stab at predicting the Marlins 25-man roster for Opening Day. With some poor play and possibly some injuries, it seems like I might be slightly off.
• Speaking of struggles, Jacob Turner‘s struggles this spring could mean he starts the season in Triple-A New Orleans
• Not due to poor performance, but rather lack of experience, star prospect Christian Yelich was reassigned to minor league camp. Trust me when I say he will be back soon.
• Lastly, I took around a look around the NL East and brought you the best articles on the web for our fellow NL East teams.

Placido Estevez:

• In his Marlins Way segment, Placido wonders if it is Opening Day already?
• If Giancarlo Stanton feels lonely this season, he could always ask Miguel Cabrera for some advise. If you remember, Cabrera was in the same situation as Stanton after the 2006 season.

 Alex Agueros:

• In his Marlins Way segment, Alex talks about the infamous Chone Figgins being cut and other news on Marlins demotees.

 Geoff Parkins

• Geoff and I had a disagreement with the course of the Marlins and he posted this: The Miami Marlins: The Nuclear Option Vs. Keeping Placeholders.
• Chone Figgins and a few other players faced getting cut last week. Geoff examines what comes next.

David Polakoff:

• David made his posting debut this past week and made the rational argument that despite his struggles, Turner is just 21-years old and should not been seen as a major detriment to his future success.

Justen Rosenberg:

• In some non-Marlins related news, Justen made predictions on teams that could shock the world in 2013.

Fansided:

• March Madness 2013: Win A $100 RetailMeNot Visa Gift Card From Marlin Maniac