Offishial news, 4/28/21: Jazz to the IL; Marte already being missed

Are internal options enough to man CF?

The Marlins say Starling Marte has lingering discomfort from his fractured rib and “the expectation internally is that he will be out for more than a month,” according to Craig Mish and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. This sucks, but it is the timeline we should have expected as I wrote last week.

Wednesday’s series finale against the Brewers will be the ninth game that the Marlins have played without Marte. The center field playing time breakdown has been four starts for Lewis Brinson, four for Adam Duvall and one for Magneuris Sierra (Don Mattingly says he’d also be comfortable using Jon Berti out there if necessary). In those appearances, they have combined for zero extra-base hits, two walks—both by Sierra—and nine strikeouts.

Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images

Brinson’s staying power with this organization continues to puzzle me. The Yankees just traded under-utilized Mike Tauchman to the Giants on Tuesday for a modest return (reliever Wandy Peralta). Tauchman is just as affordable as Brinson this season and has the same amount of long-term club control, plus a track record as a league-average hitter. Since 2019, both players rate slightly above average in Defensive Runs Saved (comparable sample sizes). There are no indications yet that Miami had any involvement in the negotiations.

How much longer until the Marlins concede that Brinson is unproductive and part ways with him in pursuit of a better option? Particularly in a DH-less league, every active roster is precious—you cannot “hide” Brinson in plain sight. The Marlins have been losing too many close games because of their weak bench (2-6 when games are decided by one run). That won’t turn around without better, more complementary personnel.

Walk-off links

• Among the several other key takeaways from the Miami Herald’s reporting, the Marlins seem to be out on free agent Aníbal Sánchez and committed to keeping Zach Pop in their bullpen.
• Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Marlins placed Jazz Chisholm Jr. (left hamstring strain) on the 10-day injured list and recalled Isan Díaz from the Fish Tank.
• The Baseball America staff is anxious to see Max Meyer on a minor league mound. Marlins farm director Geoff DeGroot says Meyer and fellow former top draft pick JJ Bleday “are looking really good” leading up to the MiLB season opener on Tuesday.
• In an updated BA mock draft, they have the Marlins selecting UCLA shortstop Matt McLain in the first round. Our own Hector Rodriguez made the same selection earlier this week!

• Catch up on new podcast episodes from Locked On Marlins, Fish Across the Pond, and Swings and Mishes.
• Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is looking to add an On-Field Host, who will assist the Marketing & Promotions Manager during the Low-A Southeast season for the Jupiter Hammerheads & Palm Beach Cardinals games.
• BetOnline.ag is offering +2200 odds on the Marlins to win the NL East which is identical to how they were priced entering spring training.
• The Marlins added more minor league depth with the signings of right-hander Jason Alexander and infielder Connor Justus.
• Double-A Pensacola announced their 2021 theme nights and put single-game tickets up for sale.
• Longtime LOOGY Jerry Blevins announced his retirement from baseball. Best known for his 2015-2018 tenure with the Mets, Blevins pitched to a 2.55 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 24.2 IP (38 G) against the Fish.
• Fellow reliever Héctor Rondón also decided to hang up his cleats (nine career games vs. the Marlins).
• Budweiser has released new limited-edition Marlins Rally Buds bottles at select retail locations. Biscayne Bay Brewery recommends that you stick with Marlins Lager and support their local business.

• Sixto Sánchez is frequently compared to the legendary Pedro Martínez. Artist Michael Juskiewicz brought that evaluation to life.

@juskiewicz33/Twitter