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Chris Hatcher made it to the majors last season, but when he joins the Marlins Friday it might feel like his first time all over again. He’s back as a pitcher.
The Marlins converted Hatcher from catcher to pitcher after last season. He’s earned a promotion thanks to his numbers at Double-A Jacksonville. In 30 appearances, Hatcher is 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA, 15 walks, 39 strikeouts and a .206 opponents’ batting average in 35 innings.
Oddly enough, Hatcher last season nearly made his major league debut as a pitcher. In a September blowout loss to the Cubs, Hatcher warmed up but was never summoned from the bullpen. He pinch-hit instead, the first six hitless major league at-bats, but Hatcher closed out his professional career as a position player in a big way. His walk-off homer last September clinched the Southern League championship.
Hatcher, who already is on the 40-man roster, is taking Brad Hand’s 25-man roster spot. After blanking the Astros on two hits over seven innings and earning his first major league victory, the Marlins optioned Hand to Jacksonville so he could continue starting on regular rest. He may not be back immediately after the break. The Marlins are stretching out reliever Clay Hensley during his rehab assignment. Hensley is lined up to start the July 18 makeup game against the Mets in New York — the fifth game of the second half.
The Marlins converted Hatcher from catcher to pitcher after last season. He’s earned a promotion thanks to his numbers at Double-A Jacksonville. In 30 appearances, Hatcher is 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA, 15 walks, 39 strikeouts and a .206 opponents’ batting average in 35 innings.
Oddly enough, Hatcher last season nearly made his major league debut as a pitcher. In a September blowout loss to the Cubs, Hatcher warmed up but was never summoned from the bullpen. He pinch-hit instead, the first six hitless major league at-bats, but Hatcher closed out his professional career as a position player in a big way. His walk-off homer last September clinched the Southern League championship.
Hatcher, who already is on the 40-man roster, is taking Brad Hand’s 25-man roster spot. After blanking the Astros on two hits over seven innings and earning his first major league victory, the Marlins optioned Hand to Jacksonville so he could continue starting on regular rest. He may not be back immediately after the break. The Marlins are stretching out reliever Clay Hensley during his rehab assignment. Hensley is lined up to start the July 18 makeup game against the Mets in New York — the fifth game of the second half.
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