The Miami Marlins’ pitching staff continues to look like a revolving door. The team announced it has changed things up on Sunday by selecting the contract of right-hander Tyler Cloyd from Triple-A New Orleans.
The Marlins also announced to make space on the 40-man roster, the Marlins designated right-hander Jacob Turner, who allowed eight runs in one relief inning in Saturday’s 20-1 loss to the Phillies, for assignment.
The 30-year-old Tyler Cloyd pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Samsung Lions of KBO League. The Phillies drafted Cloyd in the 18th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Though he was expected to begin the 2012 season with the Reading Phillies of the Class AA Eastern League, he was instead assigned to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Class AAA International League due to the suspension of another pitcher. He pitched in the Triple-A All-Star Game and was named the International League’s Most Valuable Pitcher in 2012.
Tyler Cloyd made his major-league debut on August 29, 2012, replacing Cole Hamels, who was ill. Cloyd pitched six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. Cloyd got his first MLB win vs. the Reds, giving up 1 run in 7 innings. Cloyd made 11 starts and 2 relief appearances for the Phillies in 2013, going 2–7 with a 6.56 ERA.
Initially, Cloyd was scheduled to start for New Orleans on Sunday, but those plans changed on Saturday when he was informed he would be heading to Philadelphia to join the Marlins.
“It’s a matter that we didn’t have length [multiple-innings candidates] out there,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “He was scheduled to start today. We felt fairly comfortable for today, but if something happens, and he already pitches, that’s four days we’re waiting around trying to piece it together again. This way, he’s got innings built up and ready to pitch.”
He was a non-roster invitee of the Marlins to Spring Training this year.
“It helps a lot when you know everyone,” Cloyd said. “It makes it a little bit easier, having familiar faces and friends. It doesn’t feel awkward, and knowing all the catchers, too. That helps you a lot as a pitcher.”
Turner, 26, made Miami’s Opening Day roster as a non-roster invitee with an invitation to Spring Training. The right-hander was in the mix for a rotation spot, but he joined the club as a long reliever.