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Mike Fiers is likely not a bad guy. To me, neither of the hit by pitches on Stanton nor Reed Johnson were intentional. He may have reacted strongly when the Marlins bench cleared, but who wouldn’t when they believe they are being blamed for such a catastrophic injury?
-MLB Players of the Week: Ozuna, Shields save their teams
This week's MLB players of the week featured some tough decisions. But it was clear than some of the winners , including Marcell Ozuna, played a big role in keeping their teams in it.
-Brewers compassionate, umpires insistent in aftermath of Stanton beaning | Fish Bytes
Reporters who questioned Mike Fiers said the Brewers pitcher -- a South Florida native -- was emotional and fighting back tears when he spoke about his pitch that struck Giancarlo Stanton in the face. That sentiment was shared by other Brewers in the somber aftermath of the horrific beaning.
-Giancarlo Stanton beaning caused flashbacks for Ben Revere | Fish Bytes
To this day, Ben Revere still flinches anytime a pitch comes near his head. Revere said Giancarlo Stanton can probably anticipate the same when he returns from his beaning. "I know later on when the ball kind of comes around his head area, he’s going to freak out and just get out of the way like I do sometimes," said the Phillies outfielder, who was hit by a pitch in 2010. "It’s one of those deals where it’s just mental toughness. I believe he has that."
Andrew Dawson knows the feeling, which was why when he finally saw the replay of Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton being hit in the face by an 88 mph fastball on Thursday he felt a chilling sensation. Dawson, the Hall of Famer who is a special assistant to the Marlins president, was attending a fund raiser in Canada and only saw spotty replays the night Stanton was struck by Milwaukee’s Mike Fiers.
-Miami Marlins: Catcher J.T. Realmuto praises Double-A battery mate Justin Nicolino - Sun Sentinel
Left-hander Justin Nicolino’s strikeout numbers don’t jump off his 2014 stat line, but catcher J.T. Realmuto says that should not be a source of concern for the left-hander going forward. The southern League Pitcher of the Year, Nicolino’s performance was paramount to the Jacksonville Suns winning the league title. He closed his season with 6 2/3 shutout innings Friday in his team’s title-clinching 6-1 win over Chattanooga.
-Miami Marlins: Slugger Giancarlo Stanton in good spirits and back in South Florida - Sun Sentinel
Milwaukee Brewers' special assistant and former Marlin Craig Counsell was watching Thursday night's game at Miller Park. When he saw Mike Fiers' pitch strike Giancarlo Stanton in the face, Counsell excused himself from the group.
-Devastating blow once again tests Marlins " The Fish Pond
When Jose Fernandez needed season-ending Tommy John surgery in May, the Marlins withstood the initial shock and were able to push forward. Without their ace, they managed to remain in Wild Card contention.
-Miami Marlins at Philadelphia Phillies - September 13, 2014 | MLB.com MIA Recap
Reed Johnson wasn't fully able to celebrate his 1,000th career hit, because on the play, Justin Bour was thrown out at the plate. The throw by Marlon Byrd denied Miami the tying run in the seventh inning. The Marlins were unable to recover.
-Miami Marlins at New York Mets - September 15, 2014 | MLB.com Preview
Cosart, meanwhile, has been arguably the Marlins' most consistent starter since the club acquired him from the Astros at the non-waiver Trade Deadline. In seven starts with his new team, the right-hander is 4-2 with a 1.93 ERA. Able to refine his delivery by keeping his left shoulder tucked in better than earlier in the year, Cosart has been extremely effective limiting baserunners. His WHIP is a mere 0.99 in 46 2/3 innings with Miami.
-Miami Marlins: Catcher Realmuto returns to majors fresh off Southern League title - Sun Sentinel
The expectation was catcher J.T. Realmuto would be back in the majors this month when rosters expanded. He missed out on two weeks of big league time, but Realmuto didn't mind. The additional games in the minors were well worth it. Recalled from Double-A Jacksonville Saturday, Realmuto and his Suns' teammates blew through the last two weeks of the regular season and two playoff rounds to win the Southern League championship. They sewed it up with a 6-1, series-sweeping win over Chattanooga Friday night in Jacksonville.
Around The League
-Cards to skip Lackey during series vs. Brewers | MLB.com
ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals announced late Saturday that Lance Lynn, Adam Wainwright and Shelby Miller will be the starters against the Brewers from Tuesday-Thursday. With the off-day Monday, all three starters will be pitching on normal rest, and John Lackey will have his scheduled start on Tuesday skipped. Lackey has struggled of late, giving up 13 runs (10 earned) over 14 1/3 innings in his last three starts. He was ejected in the third inning of his last start for arguing balls and strikes.
Cards won't rush Wacha back to the mound | MLB.com
ST. LOUIS -- Michael Wacha threw a full bullpen before Sunday's game, but Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said the club is still taking a wait-and-see approach concerning his return. Wacha had made two starts while trying to build his pitch count after coming back from a stress fracture in his throwing shoulder. The right-hander was scheduled to start against the Rockies on Sunday, but he didn't feel right, so the club announced on Friday that Marco Gonzales would take the mound.
-12 rookies who could be baseball's next superstars. | SportsonEarth.com : Jim Callis Article
As Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine can attest, future stars don't always shine as rookies. With that in mind, we've decided to rank baseball's best dozen rookies, not on how they've done this season, but on how good they'll be in the long run.
-Abreu ties White Sox rookie home run record | MLB.com
CHICAGO -- Jose Abreu doesn't have a clear recollection of meeting Ron Kittle. He has been introduced to so many people in this first year with the White Sox that it's difficult to remember everyone. But with one more home run over the 2014 season's final two weeks, Abreu will pass Kittle for the franchise single-season rookie record in long balls. Abreu went deep against Minnesota closer Glen Perkins leading off the bottom of the ninth during Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Twins. He hit a 0-2 slider and hooked it down the left-field line for home run No. 35. Kittle reached that same mark as a rookie in 1983.
At Fish Stripes
-Explaining the rules behind the Giancarlo Stanton hit-by-pitch strikeout - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins were furious after a series of strikes were called against them on consecutive hit-by-pitches at the hands of Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers. Here are the rules behind Giancarlo Stanton's and Reed Johnson's strikeout.
-Miami Marlins news: Christian Yelich a candidate to move to first base - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins are confident Garrett Jones can bounce back next season. But if he can't the Marlins would consider moving Yelich to first base, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
-Giancarlo Stanton Injury: Miami Marlins' Stanton will not require surgery - Fish Stripes
Giancarlo Stanton left Thursday's game with what appeared to be a serious injury, but Stanton reportedly won't require surgery. Miami is unsure if Stanton will play again this season.
-Miami Marlins Minor League Report: Southern League Championship - Fish Stripes
The Jacksonville Suns are one win away from winning the Southern League Championship.
-Miami Marlins news: Anthony DeSclafani suspended three games - Fish Stripes
Major League Baseball suspended Anthony DeSclafani for three games on Friday afternoon after he hit Carlos Gomez in with a warning in effect on Thursday night. DeSclafani is appealing the suspension.
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