Well it is about time.
VandenHurk has thrown a career-high 147 2-3 innings this season - 81 2-3 for the Marlins and 66 in the minor leagues.
"He has done a terrific, terrific job, and you see him get better," manager Fredi Gonzalez said Monday. "You see him improve from one start to the next start."
VandenHurk started 17 games for the Marlins and is 4-6 with a 6.83 ERA.
"I'm very happy that I made it this far," VandenHurk said. "Obviously I want to finish it, but they do whatever they think is best in my interests. They know what's going on."
Considering that VandenHurk has only thrown a 150.1 innings since 2003 when he began his professional ball career, this is the right move. If you were to include his time in the Hawaiian fall league, that total would increase to 190.1. But really it is all the same. Rick has thrown more innings this season than he has ever has in his big league career. The previous high, including the offseason innings was 65 innings. Not mention that Rick had Tommy John surgery last season.
VandenHurk has the potential to make the starting rotation for the Marlins next year and the last thing the Fish need is another casualty.
Since we are speaking of players who need to call it a season, Mitre is being given extended rest between starts.
All the Marlins can be for the remainder of the season is a spoiler and spoiling another's team season this year isn't worth spoiling our season next year by ending up with more injuries to the pitching staff.