Miami Marlins recall reliever Carter Capps

Before the Miami Marlins opened a three game series against the Seattle Mariners last weekend, the question was would former Marlin Logan Morrison, traded during the offseason, make an appearance during the series? Morrison is currently nursing an injury, and as a result did not make an appearance, but reliever Carter Capps, who the Marlins received in return for Morrison, didn't either.

Despite beginning the season with Triple-A New Orleans to work on his delivery, Capps has had a successful start to the season and as a result was recalled before the Marlins played the Braves in the final game of a three game series on Wednesday afternoon. Arquimedes Caminero was optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding roster move.

Capps needed to prove to the Marlins that he could consistently throw strikes in order to be a part of their bullpen, and he did exactly that.

With 17 strikeouts and a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings for Triple-A New Orleans this season, Capps has improved the way Miami had hoped he would.

The Marlins recalled Capps on Wednesday morning to replace right-hander Arquimedes Caminero. Caminero was optioned to New Orleans following Tuesday night's 1-0 win against the Braves at Turner Field.

When the Marlins acquired Capps, it was expected that he would be a viable bullpen candidate out of spring training. But with Brad Hand and Kevin Slowey both having solid springs and making the team, the organization rightfully wasn't in a rush to promote the hard throwing right-hander.

Although the Marlins' bullpen was one of the best to begin the season, it has been inconsistent at times. While closer Steve Cishek hasn't seen a lot of action, Mike Dunn, Carlos Marmol, Dan Jennings, and A.J. Ramos have all had their share of struggles.

Capps posted a 3.60 ERA in ten spring innings, but was "trying to get back to what I do naturally," he said.

With Marmol injuring himself in Wednesday's contest, Capps' presence may become that much more significant. He was 3-3 with a 5.49 ERA with the Mariners last season, but pitching coach Chuck Hernandez was confident he would be able to turn things around.

In the case of Caminero, minor league time to improve his command should prove to be beneficial. In four and two third innings, Caminero posted an inflated 13.50 ERA and a 7.96 FIP. He also gave up the Evan Gattis RBI double in the10th inning in the first game of the Atlanta series. One poor five run outing against the Nationals plagued him, but Caminero may see time with the Marlins towards the end of the season, if not sooner.