Miami Marlins make a long overdue rotation change

A.J. Puk is currently on the injured list due to shoulder fatigue. This was a sad result of trying him out as a starting pitcher. I've been saying to remove him from the rotation from the very beginning of the experiment. I'm disappointed that it led to injury, but glad that this failed experiment is finally over. It's time to take a look at where we stand now.

A.J. Puk has been removed from the Miami Marlins rotation.

It couldn't have been much worse for the A.J. Puk as a starting pitcher experiment to go for the Miami Marlins. Puk has a Major League worst 0-4 W-L record, a 9.22 ERA/6.30 FIP. 11.2 BB/9 and a -0.7 WAR. He did all of this in 4 games and 13.2 innings pitched. The only positive here is is 7.9 K/9.

Compare Puk's results this season to his performance as a relief pitcher last season... He had a 3.97 ERA/3.59 FIP, with 12.4 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9, in 58 games and 56.2 innings pitched. He was even a closer for a while and accumulated 15 saves. He never should've been moved to the rotation in the first place. I'm not sure if I can say that it was worth a shot.

Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker has now officially announced that A.J. Puk is moving to the bullpen upon his return from the IL. How will the rotation look like without him now? Much better to say the least. Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett (upon his return from his own IL stint), Trevor Rogers, Ryan Weathers and Edward Cabrera will be the group going forward. Max Meyer will likely be back at some point this season too.

It's definitely a solid group, a great one even. A.J. Puk in the meantime will have the chance to improve the struggling bullpen. I see it as a winning move for all sides involved. I do sympathize with Puk's goal to be a starter again falling apart, but he has the stuff to be a lights-out reliever. Who knows, he may even close some games for The Fish this season at some point.