Marlins notes: Miami calls up Brian Flynn to get extra bullpen arm
MIAMI -- In less than 24 hours, the Miami Marlins recalled left-hander Brian Flynn from Triple-A New Orleans and optioned him back following Friday's 9-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics.
There will be a corresponding roster move prior to Saturday's game. The Marlins will bring up another arm to help a taxed staff.
When starter Anthony DeSclafani exited after three innings with a right forearm contusion, Flynn took over and pitched three frames, giving up two runs on four hits. He struck out three batters and walked one.
In the fourth, the A's opened with three singles to load the bases. Flynn limited the damage by permitting just Coco Crisp's RBI fielder's choice. In the fifth, Yoenis Cespedes led off with a walk and scored on Josh Donaldson's one-out triple.
"That’s the scenario that we absolutely didn’t want to have happen of course happened," manager Mike Redmond said. "That’s why we had Flynn here in case we needed a guy to go an extended amount of time. He gave us exactly what we needed."
Five relievers pitched in Thursday's 14-inning loss in Philadelphia. Righties A.J. Ramos and Chris Hatcher combined for 94 pitches over four frames. DeSclafani and Andrew Heaney were scheduled to start Friday and Sunday, respectively.
"We needed an arm after last night," Redmond said prior to Friday's game. "We had a couple guys throw a lot of pitches. Definitely need an arm here, especially having a couple young guys throwing the next couple of days.
"We've got to get through this weekend and then we have an off day (Monday). I think it just made sense knowing we have a couple guys not available."
Flynn went 7-5 with a 3.56 ERA in 16 starts for the Zephyrs. He was with the club in Nashville on Thursday when he got the call to be ready. His flight left at 5:30 a.m. Friday, which was supposed to be his start date for New Orleans.
"Lot of refining, work a lot on the changeup," Flynn said. "That's been a big thing for me. Working my changeup, trying to do a lot of that. Had a few outings where I've been roughed up a little bit but overall I've been happy with the development process."
The 24-year-old was a September call-up last year. He went 0-2 with an 8.50 ERA in four starts during his big-league debut.
That experience has made the transition smoother this time around.
"Everything from being in here to the results wise," Flynn said. "It makes everything a lot easier. Not getting overwhelmed by it, not anything new. Not just taking everything in but more being ready to play. That's a huge thing even in the couple hours I've been here already. Be ready to play and not so much taking everything in."
For Friday's initial transaction, Miami sent first baseman Justin Bour to Triple-A New Orleans.
In two stints with the Marlins, Bour hit .300 with one double, three walks and four RBI. He was being used as a pinch-hitter and backup first baseman.
HECHAVARRIA UPDATE
Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria plans on playing catch Sunday for the first time since feeling discomfort in his right triceps last Saturday.
Hechavarria was a late scratch from that game and was placed on the 15-day disabled list June 25 (retroactive June 21) when the strain persisted. He was batting .272 with 10 doubles, three triples and 17 RBI.
"I'm doing exercises to strengthen it, but I think in about a week I'll feel ... right now, I don't feel any pain or any discomfort," Hechavarria said in Spanish. "So I think in about a week it'll be better. I'll start throwing Sunday. But I don't feel anything. Normally, I'd do some movement and the triceps would bother me. But now, I feel fine."
The 25-year-old was playing catch prior to batting practice that day when he began rubbing his arm. It was initially diagnosed as right elbow soreness and a day-to-day injury.
"It was a small bit of soreness, it wasn't anything too hard," Hechavarria said. "It was some soreness in the triceps, but I think I'm fine now. I feel fine now, thank God, I'm waiting for the moment I can help my team however I can. That's it."
WORTH NOTING
-- Hechavarria, right-hander Henderson Alvarez and outfielder Marcell Ozuna got in the World Cup fever by kicking around a pair of soccer balls Friday afternoon.
-- Outfielder Christian Yelich will play another rehab game in New Orleans on Friday before returning to Miami on Saturday. He is scheduled to come off the 15-day disabled list Sunday. He went on the DL June 16 with a lower back strain.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
