Marlins notes: Roster moves begin, Dayton optioned to Triple-A
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Miami Marlins made their first round of roster moves on Friday morning.
Miami optioned left-hander Grant Dayton to Triple-A New Orleans. The 27-year-old southpaw allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits with two walks and a strikeout in his lone spring appearance on March 7 against the New York Mets.
Dayton, who is on the 40-man roster, went 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 39 outings for the Zephyrs last season. He has yet to make his big-league debut. Over five minor-league seasons, Dayton is 18-15 with a 2.60 ERA in 185 games (six starts).
Right-handers Brian Ellington and Ryan Reid, catcher Sharif Othman as well as infielders Justin Bohn and Viosergy Rosa were re-assigned to minor-league camp. All five were non-roster invitees.
"Sent out a couple of the younger guys that hadn't gotten a whole lot of action," manager Mike Redmond said. "Thats the start of it. Get a few guys out and let them go down and play. We always try to consider the fact if we can't utilize these guys and get them into games they're better off going down to the minor leagues and getting their work in. Couple of those guys haven't really gotten a chance to play with the older depth we've brought in. That kind of hurts the younger guys as far as them being able to play in spring training.
MAKING PROGRESS
With Monday being off, ace Jose Fernandez will throw bullpen sessions on Sunday (35 pitches) and Thursday (40 pitches). He has been following a Monday and Thursday schedule since his first time on a mound on March 1 (a Sunday).
Fernandez continues to throw just fastballs, but that could change soon.
During Friday morning's "B" game, Fernandez took on other roles: scout and bat boy.
"Got to find some way to do something good," Fernandez joked.
Dan Haren and Jose Fernandez check out "B" game. #Marlins #Cards pic.twitter.com/YJNpXZqPyq
— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) March 13, 2015
The 22-year-old righty brought his bike to the spring-training complex and plans to ride inside for 1-2 hours. Before Tommy John surgery, Fernandez rode hundreds of miles a week during the 2013-14 offseason.
"I think it's going to be good for my head," he said.
BACK ON TRACK
Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria was not in Friday's lineup after returning to Grapefruit League play for the first time in a week.
Hechavarria, who had been nursing a tired right shoulder, went 1 for 2 with a double and a run in Thursday's game against the Minnesota Twins. He played four innings of defense.
The 25-year-old shortstop will start both Saturday and Sunday in his first attempt at playing consecutive games. Other than taking days off from throwing, he had been hitting in the back fields and simulation games.
"He's fine," Redmond said. "He feels good today. We just don't want to push him. Give him the day off and he can play the next two and take the offday and then be back playing multiple days in a row. He responded well from the game and he looked great."
EXTRA WORK
Top prospects Jose Urena and Justin Nicolino will throw in a "B" game on Friday on the back fields at the Roger Dean Stadium complex.
Urena pitched two scoreless innings on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals in his only spring appearance, striking out three batters and walking one while allowing three hits.
Nicolino also threw in that game. He permitted a run on three hits over two frames. Nicolino struck out three and walked none.
LINEUP
"Good day for us to get a lot of guys some action and probably use every guy we have today between the two games," Redmond said. "I know we've got a lot of pitchers that can utilize this ‘B' game, so it's good."
PITCHING SCHEDULE
Right-hander David Phelps will start Saturday afternoon's game in Viera against the Washington Nationals, while righty Tom Koehler will pitch a game on a back field in Jupiter.
Phelps, who will likely be the club's long reliever on Opening Day, is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two games (one start) this spring. Over five innings, he has allowed one run on three hits with two strikeouts and a walk. He came on in relief on March 5 against the Cardinals and started Monday against the New York Mets.
Koehler, the projected fifth starter in the rotation, is 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two games (one start) in Grapefruit League play. He has given up a run on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout over four frames. He started on March 6 against the Boston Red Sox and pitched in relief on Tuesday.
"Just to get a chance to get Phelps extended out a little bit," Redmond said. "We know Tommy can get his work in back here. You get two things accomplished in one day, which works out perfectly."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
