The Sports Xchange
MLB Team Report – Miami Marlins – INSIDE PITCH
As expected, the Marlins activated Jeff Mathis from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday and will go with three catchers on the roster.
Mathis, acquired from Toronto during the offseason, broke his right collarbone in the Marlins’ opening exhibition game on Feb. 23.
“He’s a proven catcher in the big leagues,” manager Mike Redmond said. “He would have been back there catching a lot to this point had he not gotten hurt.
“This is a steady defensive player. I saw him a lot when I was still playing. I like the way he goes about his business, the way he is in the clubhouse and the way he can teach our pitchers how to pitch.”
Mathis, 30, said he’s sustained his share of injuries but “nothing compared to the pain” he suffered after breaking the collarbone.
Rehabbing the injury wasn’t easy either, Mathis said.
“When I took that sling off, it was amazing how much atrophy I had in my shoulder,” Mathis said. “That’s been the biggest grind, just trying to get the strength back in my shoulder — specifically throwing.”
Mathis was not in the lineup on Tuesday for the series opener against Cincinnati but Redmond indicated he would make a start either Wednesday or Thursday.
With three catchers on the roster, Redmond said he has the flexibility to bring Miguel Olivo off the bench to pinch hit or possibly use Olivo to spell Greg Dobbs at first base.
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MLB Team Report – Miami Marlins – NOTES, QUOTES
RECORD: 11-28
STREAK: Lost three
PAST 10 GAMES: 3-7
NEXT: Reds (Mike Leake, 2-2, 4.32) at Marlins (Alex Sanabia, 2-5, 4.85)
PLAYER NOTES:
–RHP Alex Sanabia will make his eighth start of the season Wednesday, when he faces the Reds. He is just 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA at Marlins Park this year. His only previous appearance against the Reds came April 21 at Cincinnati, where he allowed five runs in six innings and took the loss.
–RHP Ricky Nolasco allowed six runs in five innings in a loss to the Reds Tuesday night. Nolasco was beaten by a five-run second inning in which he walked in a run on consecutive plate appearances. Those were his only walks of the game, but they set up a three-run double by Xavier Paul, who was swinging on a 3-1 pitch.
–SS Adeiny Hechavarria showed breathtaking ability in the seventh inning Tuesday against the Reds. First, he went with the pitch and stroked an opposite-field triple to right-center, flashing his speed. Then he scored on a short line out to right field, evading the tag by catcher Ryan Hanigan with a slick slide.
–C Jeff Mathis was activated on May 14 for the first time this season. He broke his collarbone on the second day of spring training when he was hit by a foul ball from Matt Holliday. Mathis takes the roster spot made available when the Marlins optioned C Kyle Skipworth to Triple-A New Orleans on Sunday. The Marlins now have three catchers on their big-league roster, including starter Rob Brantly and backup Miguel Olivo.
–1B Casey Kotchman, who is trying to come back from a hamstring injury, took ground balls with his teammates Tuesday. He will likely begin a minor league rehab stint in the next few days.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’ve been doing a good job all year of staying away from the crooked-number, big inning, but it got me this time. (Joey) Votto laid off some good pitches, and (Xavier Paul) put (his hit) in a good spot for him in left with the wind carrying that way.” Marlins starting pitcher Rickie Nolasco, after giving up six runs in five innings in a 6-2 loss to the Reds on Tuesday.
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MLB Team Report – Miami Marlins – ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
–C Jeff Mathis (broken collarbone) was activated May 14. He was hurt Feb. 23 and went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He played catch from 45 feet April 6. He started a rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter on May 2, and his rehab assignment was moved to Double-A Jacksonville on May 7, then to Triple-A New Orleans on May 11. He was activated May 14.
–INF Chris Valaika (broken left wrist) is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after fracturing his wrist May 6. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 8. He had surgery where two pins were inserted into his broken left wrist on May 10.
–2B Donovan Solano (strained left intercostal muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 4.
–RF Giancarlo Stanton (strained right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list April 30.
–1B Joe Mahoney (strained right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 28.
–RHP Henderson Alvarez (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 7. He threw bullpen sessions April 12 and 17 and threw 30 pitches in a batting-practice session April 23 in Jupiter, Fla. He threw 45 pitches on April 28 and was shut down after feeling soreness. He resumed playing catch in early May.
–1B Casey Kotchman (left hamstring strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 4. He was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 8.
–1B/LF Logan Morrison (surgery to repair a torn right patella tendon in September 2012) on May 14 played first base for the first time this year in an extended spring game. There’s still no date for when he will start a rehab assignment. He went on the 60-day disabled list March 31. As of April 7, Morrison was already participating in batting practice and taking grounders. He began running April 12 after being previously restricted to anti-gravity treadmill running.
–RHP Nathan Eovaldi (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 24, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 18.
–RHP Jose Ceda (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list March 31 after suffering a setback in spring training.
–OF Alfredo Silverio (Tommy John surgery in May 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list March 31.
ROTATION:
RHP Ricky Nolasco
RHP Kevin Slowey
LHP Wade LeBlanc
RHP Alex Sanabia
RHP Jose Fernandez
BULLPEN:
RHP Steve Cishek (closer)
RHP Jon Rauch
RHP Ryan Webb
LHP Mike Dunn
RHP AJ Ramos
RHP Chad Qualls
RHP Tom Koehler
CATCHERS:
Rob Brantly
Miguel Olivo
Jeff Mathis
INFIELDERS:
1B Greg Dobbs
2B Derek Dietrich
SS Adeiny Hechavarria
3B Placido Polanco
INF Nick Green
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Juan Pierre
CF Chris Coghlan/Justin Ruggiano
RF Marcell Ozuna
OF Matt Diaz
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