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Brad Penny may be the newest Miami Marlins starter.
After designating Jacob Turner for assignment on Tuesday, the Marlins may be inclined to promote Penny, who was signed to a minor league contract in June.
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com was among the first to suggest that Penny may be promoted, noting that Saturday in Cincinnati would make the most sense.
Even though Flynn is being brought up. Chances are he will be used in long relief. Brad Penny could eventually get rotation spot #Marlins
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) August 5, 2014
The Marlins have yet to announce who will get the nod that day, but expect it to be Brad Penny.
Of course Penny is not part of the club’s long-term future. But the veteran has pitched in playoff chases before. He’s a former All-Star, and you may recall, he won two games for the Marlins in the 2003 World Series.
With the Marlins designating Turner and losing Jose Fernandez to season-ending surgery and Henderson Alvarez for two weeks, Penny could be slotted into the rotation and guide one of baseball's younger staffs.
In five starts with New Orleans, Penny is 2-2 with a 2.28 ERA and 2.85 FIP in 27 and two third innings. Penny started his minor league stint with the Marlins' Single-A affiliate, pitching to an 0-2 record, 5.06 ERA, and 2.93 FIP in just over ten innings.
Penny last appeared in the major leagues with the Giants in 2012, when he posted a 6.11 ERA and 5.31 FIP in 28 innings.
Before the Marlins were interested in trading for a starter, Penny was expected to get an opportunity but was never called upon. He was also a candidate to serve as the Marlins' long reliever, but the organization felt he was better off starting games.
Miami still feels as if it can compete for a wild card spot, and slotting Penny into the rotation may give the club a better opportunity than promoting prospects such as Andrew Heaney or Anthony DeSclafani prematurely.
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