The Miami Marlins are about to play two key final series of the season. Both are road series against the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Fish have made some moves in advance of both key matchups. We already wrote about one move earlier, as closer Tanner Scott is going on paternity leave to have a child with his wife Maddie (congratulations Tanner!). What are the other moves?
The Miami Marlins made some player moves in anticipation of the stretch run.
Right-handed relief pitcher Jeff Lindgren has been demoted to Triple A Jacksonville. Lindgren has been worth 0.1 WAR, producing a 5.14 ERA/4.69 FIP with 1.3 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 in 3 games and 7.0 innings pitched. It was obviously an underwhelming performance and he won't be missed on the Major League roster.
Right-handed relief pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez has been outrighted down to the Minor Leagues as well. He's going down to AAA as well by the way. Chi Chi has a terrible 7.36 ERA/5.99 FIP, with 7.4 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 3 games and 3.2 innings pitched. Just like Lindgren, Chi Chi will not be missed on the Major League roster. It remains to be seen if either will get a chance to make it back up next season...assuming they even remain on the team.
Left-handed relief pitcher Enmanuel De Jesus has been called up from the Minors. De Jesus has a 6.23 ERA/3.95 FIP, with 6.2 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 1 game and 4.1 innings pitched. He's not exactly a relief ace, but is at least an upgrade over Lindgren and Chi Chi. Right-handed relief pitcher Huascar Brazoban has been activated from the IL. He has a 0.8 WAR and has a 4.29 ERA/4.14 FIP, with 9.5 K/9 and 4.9 BB/9 in 48 games and 56.2 innings pitched.
In bigger news... are you hungry for home runs? 3B Jake Burger is back to satisfy that hunger! Burger is having a great season, batting .251/.313/.530 with 34 home runs and 79 RBI in 136 games and 470 AB. He's doing even better with the Miami Marlins, batting .313/.369/.534 in 48 games and 176 AB.
Unfortunately, the best hitter in the game 2B Luis Arraez is still listed as day to day. Hopefully he will be able to play before the end of the season.