Marlins notes: Brad Hand to start Sunday in place of Henderson Alvarez
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins left-hander Brad Hand will start for All-Star Henderson Alvarez on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves.
Alvarez, who exited Monday after just 2 1/3 innings with a left oblique strain, played catch again Friday after doing so Wednesday. Before the off day, manager Mike Redmond had said the right-hander would need to throw a bullpen in order to prove he was ready to return to the mound. Alvarez did not attempt a session Thursday.
"He threw today, felt much better," Redmond said. "I've got to talk to (pitching coach) Chuck (Hernandez) about him throwing a bullpen here the next few days. I don't know if that's tomorrow or Sunday, but he'll throw a bullpen here the next couple of days and see where he's at if he can make a start -- I'm hoping next week. We'll see. See how that bullpen goes.
"Played catch but said pain was gone and seemed to feel like he was ready to throw a bullpen, so that's good news. It's just a matter now of when he throws it and how that goes as far as his availability for another start. We'll figure that out when we want that to be."
Veteran righty Brad Penny will start Monday and right-hander Tom Koehler on Tuesday in Milwaukee with an extra day of rest. The Marlins will stay with this order of the rotation through the rest of the season.
Hand is 2-6 with a 4.76 ERA in 28 games (12 starts). From July 8 to Aug. 5, he went 2-2 with a 2.37 ERA over six starts. During a recent three-start stretch, Hand posted a 7.88 ERA.
Penny took over the fifth spot on Tuesday but went just three innings, giving up four runs on seven hits to the New York Mets. He is 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA in three starts since returning to the majors for the first time since 2012.
HOW TO USE THE CALL-UPS
With the rotation's members locked down, rookies Andrew Heaney and Anthony DeSclafani will pitch out of the bullpen as long relievers should the occasion arise. The pair were called up Monday with the expansion of rosters.
DeSclafani surrendered three runs on four hits in an inning of work on Tuesday. He has a 9.00 ERA in three relief outings this year.
Heaney, the top-rated lefty starting prospect in baseball, had just one relief appearance in the minor leagues and it came in 2013 with Single-A Jupiter. Between Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans this season, he was 9-6 with a 3.28 ERA. In his first stint in the majors, Heaney went 0-3 with a 6.53 ERA in four starts.
Both players have already exceeded their career highs in innings pitched.
"I have a feeling we'll be able to find spots to get them in whether it's an inning or two or three innings," Redmond said. "It's always nice to have extra bodies down there, guys who can pitch. We'll see as we get farther along where we can utilize those guys the best."
GETTING HIM A BREAK
There was a tweak to Friday's lineup with rookie Justin Bour starting at first base for the first time and batting sixth in place of Garrett Jones.
Jones is batting just .129 with no homers, two RBI, two walks and 11 strikeouts over his last 10 games. He is hitless over his past eight at-bats and has not homered since Aug. 17. Jones will likely get Saturday off as well with lefty Alex Wood on the mound for the Braves.
"I talked to Jonesy and he's really been grinding," Redmond said. "Tried to give him a couple days here to just relax, a couple mental days. We need to get him back on track. I talked with him and just let him relax a little bit. I know he's been trying hard. He's been working on his swing. Sometimes you just need to take a step back and take a couple days off. A lot of times that helps."
Bour had set career highs in average (.306), slugging percentage (.517) and OPS (.889) with Triple-A New Orleans. He also recorded 27 doubles, 18 homers and 72 RBI in 103 games.
The 26-year-old had his contract selected from Triple-A New Orleans on June 4 and made his debut a day later against the Tampa Bay Rays, recording his first hit and RBI in his second at-bat. On June 10 against the Texas Rangers, he tied a club record for hits in a game (three) by a designated hitter.
In 21 games, Bour hit .222 with a .323 on-base percentage over 31 plate appearances in the big leagues during his previous stints with the club. He started three games -- all as the DH.
"Earlier in the year we got him a couple DH starts," Redmond said. "He's had a nice minor-league season, and at this point we're looking for a spark. Maybe he's just the guy to get a couple big hits for us. That would be nice."
WORTH NOTING
-- The Marlins and Greensboro Grasshoppers extended their player development contract through the end of the 2018 season. Greensboro competes in the South Atlantic League of Single-A competition.
-- Outfielder Carlos Lopez (Greensboro) and right-hander Jacob Esch (Jupiter) were named Marlins Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for August.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
