Miami Marlins sign David Aardsma to minor league contract; Austin Kearns taken to hospital

The Miami Marlins bullpen is off to an awful start to begin the 2013 season. The Marlins bullpen the team has a 5.79 ERA in the pen and a 4.44 FIP heading into the Marlins three game series finale against the Phillies this afternoon.

March 2, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher

(34) throws a pitch during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With the continued struggles of their bullpen early on in the season, the Miami Marlins made a move to sign former Seattle Mariners closer David Aardsma to a minor league contract. Aardsma will report to Triple-A New Orleans, but will surely be given a shot to pitch for the Marlins if he does well with New Orleans.

F rom 2009 to 2010, David Aardsma was the full-time Mariners closer. He pitched to varied success in those two seasons. In 2009, Aardsma pitched 71 1/3 innings, saving 38 games while posting a 2.51 ERA and a 3.01 FIP. His numbers regressed slightly in 2010, but still pitched 49 2/3 innings, picking up 31 saves while posting a 3.44 ERA and a 4.05 FIP.

Aardsma developed elbow issues during the 2010 season and eventually needed Tommy John surgery. Since his surgery, he has only pitched one inning in the MLB. His lone inning came with the Yankees last season and the results were not pretty. Aardsma picked up one strikeout, walked a batter, and allowed a home run.

Overall in his two seasons with the Mariners, Aardsma threw 121 innings and saved 69 games with a 2.90 ERA. His numbers seemed to benefit from pitching in a pitcher friendly park, as his career numbers are a 4.22 ERA and 4.28 FIP.

It would be nice if Aardsma could pick up where he left off with the M’s, but that seems unlikely at this point. While he won’t make a huge impact, he is expected to pitch for the Marlins at some point.

Austin Kearns taken to hospital:

Scary news to report, after initially being in the Marlins starting lineup, outfielder Austin Kearns was a late scratch and taken to the hospital for an elevated heart rate.

We hope everything is alright with Kearns and that he can return to the Marlins lineup very soon. Never want anything like this to happen to anyone.

Justin Ruggiano returned to the Marlins lineup and will start in right field.

For more updates on the Marlins and Austin Kearns, please stay tuned to Marlin Maniac.