Jarred Cosart trade: What it means for the back of the Miami Marlins rotation

The Miami Marlins acquired starter Jarred Cosart and infielder Enrique Hernandez from the Houston Astros on Thursday afternoon, and after Thursday's loss to the Reds optioned both Dan Jennings and Ed Lucas to Triple-A New Orleans.

#Marlins option Ed Lucas and Dan Jennings to NOLA

— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) August 1, 2014

Cosart will make his Marlins debut on Friday.

To make room for one of the players on the 40-man roster, the Marlins are expected to designate left-hander Donnie Joseph for assignment. Joseph was acquired from the Royals on June 30 in exchange for cash considerations when the team was struggling to find pieces for their bullpen.

Jennings allowed all three of his inherited runners to score in his sixth-inning appearance against the Nationals on Monday. He gave up a hit and issued a walk in a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday.

While the roster moves create space for the two newest Marlins, the trade will have a significant impact on the back of Miami's rotation. Cosart is scheduled to make his first start as a Marlin on Friday against Cincinnati, taking Jacob Turner's spot in the rotation.

Miami made it clear they wanted to add a starter, but the move came after successful runs on the mound by both Turner and Brad Hand.

Hand is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA and 4.02 FIP and has started eight games for the Marlins in 2014. Four of his last five starts have been quality outings (six-plus innings, three runs or less), and he has pitched into the seventh inning in his last three outings.

Hand is out of options, and gives the Marlins a left-handed arm in the rotation, making it likely that he will remain in the rotation moving forward. With Miami's starting pitching depth, should Hand begin to struggle, a move may be made.

Turner will likely be the one most affected by Miami's decision to trade for Cosart. He is 4-6 with a 5.69 ERA and 4.02 FIP in just over 72 innings, and may return to the bullpen to serve as the Marlins' long reliever.

At the back of the Marlins' rotation, Turner has been an inconsistent option, and with Hand's recent success, Miami would be making the right move by allowing Turner to pitch in relief.

Anthony DeSclafani, Andrew Heaney, and Brian Flynn are all minor league arms who could make an appearance for the Marlins if another starter is necessary, but for the moment, the club appears to be confident in a Henderson Alvarez-Nathan Eovaldi-Tom Koehler-Jarred Cosart-Brad Hand starting five.