Marlins place Phelps on DL

Already without Adam Conley and Wei-Yin Chen, the Marlins placed starter David Phelps on the 15-day disabled list with a oblique injury, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.

Jake Esch was recalled to make the start for Miami on Wednesday night.

Phelps has been effective since joining Miami’s rotation and has pitched to a 2.52 ERA and 2.87 FIP over 78.2 innings this season. He is eligible to return in the middle of September.

Without Conley and Chen, the Marlins have turned to Phelps and Jose Urena, who has pitched well of late.

Miami’s offense has struggled, and as a result, the club has quickly lost ground in the National League Wild Card standings. The injury to Phelps leaves the Marlins without three of their top five starters, which might be too much for the Marlins to overcome.

The Marlins face the Mets in New York at 7:10 EST.