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When the Marlins signed Jose Lopez to a minor league deal, they didn’t necessarily plan on keeping him at Triple-A for very long. Lopez, a former All-Star second baseman with the Seattle Mariners, could join the big league club sooner rather than later, according to a source who has spoken with a front office member.
Lopez started at second base and homered in his debut with New Orleans Thursday night. While Lopez isn’t likely to displace fellow Venezuelan Omar Infante, he can has played short and third in addition to second. The right-handed hitting Lopez ultimately could split time at third with lefty-swinging Greg Dobbs. Lopez can boast almost 1,500 major league innings at third and he’s still only 27. Dobbs and Lopez were teammates for a while in the Mariners organization.
If and when Lopez is promoted, the Marlins would only have to pay him a prorated share of the $414,000 major league minimum. The Marlins would have to create a 40-man roster spot for Lopez…
Before Friday’s game, manager Edwin Rodriguez did not dismiss the idea of hitting Hanley Ramirez atop the order when he comes off the disabled list, perhaps as soon as Tuesday. Rodriguez probably wouldn’t hit him first right out of the chute, choosing initially to bat him in the two-hole.
Less than two weeks ago, Rodriguez said the Marlins needed to win with Chris Coghlan batting atop the order. He’s had an uneven season and began play Friday with a .306 on-base percentage. Collectively, Marlins leadoff hitters are batting .242 with a .311 OBP, ranked 14th and tied for 11th, among National League teams, respectively….
Closer Leo Nunez, who felt a pull in his back while warming up for the 10th inning of Wednesday’s game, likely will not be available until next week. He has to play catch without pain before the Marlins considering sending him back to the mound. Nunez last pitched on Sunday….
Good catch by Dave in Hollywood, who via email alerted me that during Tuesday’s broadcast he noticed Scott Cousins mouth the words “I appreciate that,” when he came up to pinch hit in the ninth. Cousins did in fact say that to catcher David Ross, who told him the Atlanta Braves were behind him and encouraged Cousins to keep his head up.
Lopez started at second base and homered in his debut with New Orleans Thursday night. While Lopez isn’t likely to displace fellow Venezuelan Omar Infante, he can has played short and third in addition to second. The right-handed hitting Lopez ultimately could split time at third with lefty-swinging Greg Dobbs. Lopez can boast almost 1,500 major league innings at third and he’s still only 27. Dobbs and Lopez were teammates for a while in the Mariners organization.
If and when Lopez is promoted, the Marlins would only have to pay him a prorated share of the $414,000 major league minimum. The Marlins would have to create a 40-man roster spot for Lopez…
Before Friday’s game, manager Edwin Rodriguez did not dismiss the idea of hitting Hanley Ramirez atop the order when he comes off the disabled list, perhaps as soon as Tuesday. Rodriguez probably wouldn’t hit him first right out of the chute, choosing initially to bat him in the two-hole.
Less than two weeks ago, Rodriguez said the Marlins needed to win with Chris Coghlan batting atop the order. He’s had an uneven season and began play Friday with a .306 on-base percentage. Collectively, Marlins leadoff hitters are batting .242 with a .311 OBP, ranked 14th and tied for 11th, among National League teams, respectively….
Closer Leo Nunez, who felt a pull in his back while warming up for the 10th inning of Wednesday’s game, likely will not be available until next week. He has to play catch without pain before the Marlins considering sending him back to the mound. Nunez last pitched on Sunday….
Good catch by Dave in Hollywood, who via email alerted me that during Tuesday’s broadcast he noticed Scott Cousins mouth the words “I appreciate that,” when he came up to pinch hit in the ninth. Cousins did in fact say that to catcher David Ross, who told him the Atlanta Braves were behind him and encouraged Cousins to keep his head up.
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