Marlins reinstate Yelich, place Flores on disabled list
MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins reinstated left fielder Christian Yelich and placed rookie right-hander Kendry Flores on the disabled list prior to Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Yelich, sidelined by a right knee contusion retroactive Aug. 10, returns on the first day he was eligible to come off the DL. He hurt himself scaling the wall at Turner Field trying to rob the Atlanta Braves' Jonny Gomes of a homer. Since May 23, Yelich is hitting .309.
With both Yelich and All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton out, Miami has worked with a four-man outfield rotation of Derek Dietrich, Cole Gillespie, Marcell Ozuna and Ichiro Suzuki.
Flores, who gave up five runs over five innings in his first big-league start last Friday, is battling right shoulder tendinitis and has yet to have an MRI but will undergo one. He is on no-throw status. The 23-year-old righty has thrown 128 combined innings between Double-A Jacksonville, Triple-A New Orleans and the majors this season. His career high is 141 2/3 frames in 2013.
Veteran southpaw Chris Narveson will start in his place on Wednesday, making his first major-league start since April 15, 2012, as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. He is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in six relief outings (11 2/3 IP) since having his contract selected this month.
Narveson will become the 13th pitcher to start for the Marlins this season, matching the club record set in 2014. Eleven pitchers -- either starters or relievers -- have been on the DL this year.
"When you go into the offseason you know you're going to need 8-10 starters -- eight if you're lucky -- if you have good health," manager Dan Jennings said. "And now we're above the 10 at 13. It's been tough to deal with the injuries. Eight guys now as you've said that have had DL time, and it makes it difficult because you're having to bring some guys here before they're truly ready. At the same time it's good to have guys to bring up here and give them the opportunity. What they do with the opportunity will in large part determine what we need to do and will be this offseason."
INJURY UPDATES
-- Ace Jose Fernandez (right biceps strain) will toss his first bullpen on Thursday.
-- Righty Jose Urena (left knee contusion) will toss a bullpen on Wednesday.
-- Right-hander Jarred Cosart (vertigo) will make his second rehab start with Single-A Jupiter this Thursday, tossing 65-70 pitches.
-- Righty Andre Rienzo (left knee laceration) will throw 40 pitches on Thursday for the Hammerheads.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
