Miami Marlins: Jacob Turner heads to the D.L.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

After the Marlins scratched their young pitcher from his start on Tuesday night, the questions remained whether or not he would be heading to a stint on the disabled list. It appears that we now have our answer. According to multiple reports, Jacob Turner is heading to the disabled list retroactive to April 4th.

#Marlins RHP Jacob Turner placed on DL (right shoulder strain), retro to April 4. RH Arquimedes Caminero recalled
— Juan C. Rodriguez (@JCRMarlinsbeat) April 9, 2014

This move will open up a spot for the lefty Brad Hand in the rotation. Hand was one of the Marlins strongest pitchers during spring training, and almost earned a spot in the rotation at the beginning of the season, just barely losing out to Tom Koehler.

Another one of the Marlins best pitchers this spring will be taking Turner’s roster spot. Arquimedes Caminero will join the bullpen and provide the Marlins with another hard throwing right-handed option.

No word yet on the extent of Turner’s injury or the length of time that he is expected to be on the D.L. His shoulder strain is a result of taking batting practice prior to Tuesday’s game with the Nationals. The good news is that it is likely not something serious since it wasn’t strained by pitching, although that is just speculation on my part.

I don’t want to be a proverbial “stick in the mud” but to me this raises a question; Should pitchers be taking batting practice? Or better yet, should they be hitting at all? I really find it hard to believe that the 2 or 3 hits that Turner is going to accumulate this season are so important that they need to be taking batting practice to ensure they get there. I have no problem with working on bunting, a skill that is likely easier for them to succeed, but it is largely unnecessary. If you are Henderson Alvarez, or Carlos Zambrano, it is a little different. Those are actual weapons that they have in their arsenal, but Turner?

To me they should just switch to the D.H. rather than continually trot out players who have no business taking cuts. What do you think? Should we continue to have pitchers hit? Let us know in the comments below.

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