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Miami Marlins Spring Training Battles 2020: Rotation Back Half

By David Fernandez

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 13: Jordan Yamamoto #50 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Marlins Park on August 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 13: Jordan Yamamoto #50 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Marlins Park on August 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 04: Robert Dugger #64 of the Miami Marlins. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 04: Robert Dugger #64 of the Miami Marlins. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Robert Dugger was called up to the big club in August of 2019 as an injury replacement. Dugger started the first game of a double-header in New York, but was knocked around for six earned runs in five innings pitched. The 24-year-old showed his mettle with a solid bounce-back performance in his next start. Versus the Cincinnati Reds at the end of the month, Dugger tossed seven scoreless innings.

Dugger finished 2019 with a 0-4 record with the Marlins, posting a 5.77 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 25 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings pitched. One of his major issues late last season was surrendering walks. Dugger issued 17 free passes in 2019. He’ll need to demonstrate stronger command during spring training if he’s going to stick with the club.

On Twitter this offseason, Dugger showed he’s added 15 lbs of muscle and added several MPH to his stuff. That would certainly help him stick with the big club.

Jose Urena bounced between the bullpen and the starting rotation last season. A regular starter prior to 2019, Urena finished the season with a 4-10 record. He posted a 5.21 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 62 strikeouts over 84 2/3 innings pitched. He made 13 starts and 11 appearances out of the bullpen, including finishing eight games and registering three saves.

Urena struggled in 2019 after pitching well in the two years prior. In 2018, Urena finished with a 9-12 record, posting a 3.98 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 130 strikeouts over 174 innings pitched. In 2017, his record was 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 113 strikeouts over 169 2/3 innings pitched.

If the Miami Marlins keep Jose Urena in 2020, it seems as if it will be as a starter according to MLB.com reporter Joe Frisaro.

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