Marlins place pitcher Caleb Smith on the I.L.

The Miami Marlins have announced that starting pitcher Caleb Smith has been placed in the I.L. with inflammation of his hip.

The Miami Marlins won’t be able to go through the season with just five starters in their rotation. With the news of starter Caleb Smith being placed on the 10-day I.L. with inflammation in his hip, the organization called up right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley from Triple-A New Orleans.

"Per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, “Smith’s injury will end the Marlins’ string of starting the same five starters all season. They were the last team to go with the same rotation from Day 1.”"

It appears the Marlins do not think the injury is serious enough to call on Zac Gallen from New Orleans, who has been the organization’s most dominant pitcher this season. Gallen has owned hitters in the Pacific Coast League this season. Adding bullpen depth with Kinley makes sense if Smith misses only one start in the rotation.

Also, Gallen is not a part of the Marlins 40-man roster. He could see time in the rotation if the injury appears to be more serious than once thought or after the All-Star break at the MLB trade deadline. The lefty not scheduled to start again until Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

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"“It’s been bothering me the last couple of starts,” Smith said. “I just haven’t really felt the same. Yesterday was the worst that it’s been.”"

The news of the injury also presents other options for manager Don Mattingly, who could use starter-turned-reliever Wei-Yin Chen to fill in or opt for an opener, as it was discussed in conversation prior to the beginning of the Major League system.

It was Smith’s performance in Spring Training that prompted the Marlins front office to decide to move Chen to the bullpen and designate veteran Dan Straily for assignment.

"“We’ve talked about a number of different things,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Where our rotation is in Triple-A.“We’ve talked about possibly doing an opener game, using our bullpen more. Chen could be part of that in some fashion.”"

Gallen’s name was immediately mentioned by Marlins fans on social media because of the season he has had. The Baby Cakes top performer is 8-1 this season with a 1.67 ERA. According to MLB Pipeline, Gallen is the team’s No. 18 prospect.

Another pitcher on the Baby Cakes roster, Elieser Hernandez, would make more sense.

"“Smith, 27, has been a bright spot for Miami, compiling a 3.41 ERA over 12 starts while striking out 82 hitters and walking 20 over 66 innings,” Frisaro added. “But the southpaw had tailed off over his last three starts, allowing 11 earned runs over 13 innings and surrendering six home runs.”"