Renyel Pinto still struggling

Reynel Pinto's struggles continue.

Before pitching an inning Saturday, Renyel Pinto hadn't seen action in nearly a week. He struggled again Saturday, giving up three runs on three hits. In his last appearance, he allowed five runs in two-thirds of an inning Sunday in a loss to the Cubs. His previous appearance before that was four days earlier, Aug. 13, when he allowed two runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Cardinals.

Pinto probably isn't going to improve this season.  His arm is dead.  While it is possible with the extra rest the team is giving him for mostly reasons of playoff survival, he could rebound --  but I doubt it.

Pinto did some excellent work in the first half of the season, but he has not been the same pitcher since.  He should be used in only mop-up situations and when September first rolls around, maybe not even that.  Of course that is assuming the Marlins minor leaguers haven't already taxed their arms to the limit.

Either way, the only short term lefty reliever the Marlins can count on is Aurhur Rhodes and that ain't a bad alternative.