Marlins Roster Moves: Chris O’Grady joins everyone else on the DL

The Marlins are seriously running out of pitchers.

After Edinson Volquez ended up on the disabled list with a knee injury that turned into him needing Tommy John surgery (haven’t figured out the math on that one yet), Chris O’Grady was called up from Triple-A to replace him in the rotation.

Now, O’Grady is hurt too and is headed to the 10-day DL with an oblique injury.

The lefty sustained the injury in the second inning of his start Monday night against the Nationals.

The Marlins originally listed O’Grady as day-to-day, but then decided to place him on the DL today, calling up RHP Javy Guerra from Triple-A New Orleans to replace him on the roster.

In six starts this season for the Marlins, O’Grady has been ok at best. The 27-year-old rookie has posted a 5.47 ERA, 4.96 FIP and 1.56 WHIP with 26 strikeouts in 26.1 innings. His best start with the team came July 27 against the Reds when he tossed seven scoreless innings with five strikeouts. However, he followed that up with his worst start of the season on August 1, when he lasted just three innings and allowed six runs in a game against the Nationals that the Marlins actually won.

To fill O’Grady’s spot in the rotation, the Marlins may have to again look into the minor leagues. Guerra was a starter early in his career, but all 33 of his Triple-A appearances this season have come out of the bullpen. Tom Koehler or Justin Nicolino could get another shot in the big league rotation for a start or two.

Don Mattingly could also go a little off the grid, possibly giving Dustin McGowan or Jarlin Garcia the chance to emerge from the bullpen and pick up a start or two.

In Guerra’s case, it will be his first stint in the big leagues since appearing in seven games with the Angels last season. In 48.2 innings in New Orleans in 2017, the 31-year-old righty has posted a 4.99 ERA and 1.32 WHIP to go along with 41 strikeouts and 20 walks. In 153 career big league games, Guerra has pitched to a 2.99 ERA and 7.41 K/9.

With the move, O’Grady joins Volquez and Wei-Yin Chen as the three starters on the DL for Miami. Relievers Kyle Barraclough and Nick Wittgren are also on the mend, along with basically the Marlins entire infield (JT Riddle, Martin Prado and Justin Bour).

While eight current Marlins are injured, another former Marlin also just hit the DL. David Phelps (now of the Mariners) will reportedly miss 2-3 weeks with a right elbow injury. Well, at least Miami traded him at the right time.