Marlins links, 7/2/18: Garrett Cooper nearing return, All-Star updates, international signings

Marlins unable to sweep the Mets

The Marlins were unable to complete the sweep against the after yesterday’s loss. Dan Straily allowed one run in each of the second, third, fourth innings, before settling down and pitching through the seventh inning and turn in a quality start for the Fish. Straily also gave the Marlins their first run with a squeeze bunt in the fourth inning.

Steven Matz pitched 5 ¹⁄₃ innings, allowing the lone (unearned) run in the fourth inning of his own throwing error. Cameron Maybin hit his first home run of the season off Mets reliever Tim Peterson for the Marlins second run of the game. Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless ninth inning and got his 15th save of the season.

We’re into July and the Marlins still haven’t swept a series all season.

Garrett Cooper is getting closer...

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Garrett Cooper (wrist) is inching closer to joining the big league club. He was initially placed on the disabled list in April after being hit in the wrist by a Kyle Kendricks pitch.

Through 10 rehab games, Cooper’s slash line has been a promising .367/.441/.500 with one home run and five RBI. The Marlins are expected to activate him in the coming days, rather than optioning him to Triple-A New Orleans (h/t Joe Frisaro, MLB.com).

His return would give the Marlins more outfield and first base depth, plus another power source. They have only hit 67 home runs, good for 29th in the majors, barely ahead of the Royals (66 HR).

And so is J.T. Realmuto!

MLB All-Star fan voting continues through July 5 and Realmuto finally ranks among the top five vote-getters at catcher. Make your voices heard on MLB.com before it’s too late!

Courtesy of MLB Communications

International signing period underway

While the rest of the world is watching the World Cup or reacting to LeBron James and his Lakers, July 2 marks another important milestone for the new Marlins: the beginning of the international signing period.

They have one of the largest international bonus pools at $6,025,400, and a small portion of that has already gone to Jhonny Melenciano. Craig Mish of SiriusXM describes the Dominican outfielder as having “plus speed” and “line drive gap power.”

Former international signees to reach the major league level include Ronald Acuña Jr., Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto (among many, many, many others). The 2018-19 signing period continues through June 15.

Trade deadline coverage

With the trade deadline approaching on July 31, expect the Marlins to make some moves for the future. Relievers Adam Conley, Drew Steckenrider and Kyle Barraclough have already been linked to the Dodgers, according to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi.

Fish Stripes has a more detailed breakdown of Barraclough in the new edition of Trade Tactics. From this weekend, we analyzed Starlin Castro’s situation as well.

Citrus series returns

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Rays are in town tonight to begin the Citrus series in what promises to be a game between two rebuilding teams. Wei-Yin Chen will be pitching for the Marlins tonight and he’ll be matching up abasing ex-Marlins Nathan Eovaldi. Both pitchers have an ERA above 4.00, but each turned in a quality start in their last outing so this game looks to be a potential pitchers’ duel.

First pitch is at 7:10pm.