Elih Villanueva to Start Game 1 of Doubleheader UPDATE: Jose Ceda and Lopez Coming Up

[MiamiHomer]

Elih Villanueva, who will start the front end of Wednesday’s doubleheader, did not travel alone Tuesday. Accompanying him to Philadelphia: Triple-A New Orleans teammates Jose Ceda and Jose Lopez.

Ceda, the Zephyrs closer, has been one of the top relievers in the Pacific Coast League this season. The Marlins signed Lopez, a former All-Star with the Seattle Mariners, to a minor league deal last week. He has an out clause in his contract if the Marlins do not promote him by July 1. It appears he won’t have to consider exercising it.

Just how all these transactions will work is speculative. Villanueva and Lopez are not on the 40-man roster, which does not have an opening, but Ceda already is on there. After Tuesday’s game, the Marlins need to make a 25-man roster move to accommodate Villanueva. They can swap out Ozzie Martinez for Lopez.

The possibility exists Ceda could be here as a JIC (just in case). In the event the Marlins find themselves short on relief pitching he would be on standby. I would imagine he’s here to join the team, taking Villanueva’s spot after his Wednesday afternoon outing.

Florida Marlins: Pair of Joses (Lopez, Ceda) travel to Philly with Villanueva

[Miamarlin21]

Mibs is a damn copycat.

[Miamarlin21]

So I'd guess that Ceda comes up for game two? I don't know.

[dgriot]

So I'd guess that Ceda comes up for game two? I don't know.

The article sounded like that Ceda would be up for the 2nd game if Villanueva sucked, and Lopez would be if Villanueva did well.

I guess Villanueva is optioned in either case immediately after the first game, and then an extra move for a 40 man spot (I guess Cousins to 60 day DL) if it's Lopez?

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

We have three guys on the bench right now and Hanley is not playing in day games for the next two weeks. If Ceda gets the call, it would likely only be for game 2 tonight and Lopez would be activated for the day game tomorrow so we can go back to having 4 guys on the bench.
--------------------
Here's the quote

There’s a strong possibility Villanueva will get sent back to New Orleans immediately after the game ends. The team could bring in reliever Jose Ceda or infielder Jose Lopez for game two…

As per doctor’s orders, Hanley Ramirez is not starting the first game of today’s double-header.

In fact, Edwin said Hanley will not start day games after night games for at least two weeks, as a precaution since he came off the disabled list (left back strain) yesterday.

Florida Marlins targeting July 16 return date for Josh Johnson

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

And he gone. Villanueva optioned, Jose Lopez called up and will start tonight.

[MiamiHomer]

Brad Davis DFA.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Lopez can play all infield positions, but manager Edwin Rodriguez said he plans to use Lopez mostly at third base. That won’t start tonight, though.

“That’s why I came here — to play every day,” Lopez said.

Lopez played seven seasons with Seattle, where he was an All Star second baseman in 2006. His best year was 2009 when he hit 25 home runs and had 96 RBI.

He started this year with Colorado, where he batted .208 in 38 games. He was released June 7 and signed a minor league deal with the Marlins two days later.

He was batting .429 in just four games with New Orleans. He flew to Philadelphia this morning and stayed at the hotel until about 2:30 p.m., when he took a taxi to Citizens Bank Park and hung out in the clubhouse until Villanueva was optioned.

Lopez will start tonight against Roy Halladay.

“No comment,” Lopez said with a smile when asked about facing Halladay in his Marlins debut.

Lopez is batting .333 (7 for 21) against Halladay with a home run…

Reliever Edward Mujica sprained his right wrist bracing a fall when he was covering first base in the seventh inning of the first game and collided with Wilson Valdez.

X-rays were negative but Mujica an hour ago said he was still in a lot of pain. He wasn’t sure how soon he’d be available.

Don’t be surprised if Mujica goes on the DL in a day or two and is replaced by Jose Ceda…

Florida Marlins call up Jose Lopez

Sounds like Lopez thinks he's going to play everyday.

[Ramp]

if he hits, fine with me

[Party]

My sources in the Villanueva household tell me Elih's father said he can now die in peace because his son is a major leaguer.

[Mainge]

Good for the Villanueva family. Wish it had been a more successful debut.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Is he still considered a major leaguer if he spent all of 3 hours on a major league roster?

[AdamRavs]

Is he still considered a major leaguer if he spent all of 3 hours on a major league roster?

counts as one day service time.

[Miamarlin21]

If anyone claims BD off of waivers I'll freak.

[Ramp]

so will I (for different reasons)