Marlins Roster News: Wei-Yin Chen shut down due to elbow discomfort

As first reported by Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, pitcher Wei-Yin Chen has been shut down for the remainder of the season after experiencing left elbow discomfort.

The Marlins were using Chen out of the bullpen in September after he finally came off the disabled list, but his arm injury flared up again.

Chen made just five starts for the Marlins earlier this season before missing the majority of the year due to troubles in his left elbow. This comes after tendering one of the largest free agent deals in franchise history on January 13, 2016. While he is two years into his five-year, $80 million contract, Chen does have an opt-out clause following this season.

Obviously, Chen will not be sacrificing his more than $52 million remaining to try the open market. Thus, the Marlins will have to deal with him for some time. The Herald reported that manager Don Mattingly said, “I really didn’t count on him being back this year. Honestly, I’m not really sure if he’s going to be able to get back next year. I think this is — I don’t know. I don’t know.” Very reassuring, Don.

After being the Marlins opening day pitcher in 2016, Chen, who already had Tommy John Surgery in 2006, was eventually diagnosed with a partial tear of his left ulnar ligament and pitched just 123.1 innings in year one with the Fish. This season, he’s been even more limited, totaling just 33 innings.

With one of the weakest pitching farm systems in baseball, the Marlins will face an uphill battle next season as Edinson Volquez, Nick Wittgren, and Chen have already or will look for surgical options this offseason.

Chen did, however, make the cover of MLB The Show ‘17 in Taiwan. Perhaps this was another occurrence of an athlete getting injured after making the cover of a major sports video game?

MLB The Show 2017