The Miami Marlins have made yet another move to help bolster its pitching staff. Per MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, the club announced right-hander Elieser Hernandez was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list, and rookie right-hander Merandy Gonzalez was optioned to Double-A Jacksonville.
Elieser Hernandez was a Rule 5 Draft pick in December from the Astros. The 23-year-old entered the season not having pitched higher than Class A Advanced. But he did make two rehab starts recently for Double-A Jacksonville after he opened the season on the disabled list due to a tooth infection. During his recovery, he suffered a setback when he split a fingernail.
“Probably the No. 1 thing for me was his poise,” Marlins acting manager Tim Wallach said per sun-sentinel.com. “As young as he is, he didn’t look intimidated whatsoever in spring training. I realize it’s spring, but you see a lot of guys come in their first spring and just not themselves and kind of see a little tentativeness. He didn’t show that at all.”
The team also announced that Hernandez would assume the role of long reliever, to begin with, but there is a chance he could move to the rotation. The Marlins continue to change their rotation and have moved players up and down from Triple-A New Orleans this short season.
Gonzalez’s return to Jacksonville could also help bolster a rotation that has been anchored by Pablo Lopez, who is held batters scoreless in his five starts this season.
Hernandez was slated to pitch for Jacksonville on Wednesday, but he was scratched on Tuesday when the organization decided it needed another fresh arm in the big-league bullpen. The rumors swirled it was only a matter of time before Hernandez would rejoin the major league roster.
“It’s a great feeling to be here,” [Elieser] Hernandez said. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about since Spring Training. Now, I’m just happy to be back here in the clubhouse.”
Gonzalez was impressive in his time in Miami. He made six appearances and threw 13 innings while posting a 2-0 record and a 4.85 ERA.
If not for the infection, Hernandez stood a really good shot to make the Marlins’ opening day roster.
“Probably the No. 1 thing for me was his poise,” Marlins bench coach Tim Wallach said. “As young as he is, he didn’t look intimidated whatsoever in Spring Training. I realize it’s spring, but you see a lot of guys come in their first spring, and they just knock themselves, and you can kind of see a little tentativeness. He didn’t show that at all.”