MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins recalled Derek Dietrich from Triple-A New Orleans as the corresponding move with Rafael Furcal on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
Dietrich was the club's Opening Day starter at second base with Furcal on the DL with a right hamstring strain. He will start at second base and will bat seventh in the lineup.
In 41 games, Dietrich hit .246 with five doubles, two triples, five homers and 16 RBI. He also posted a .342 on-base percentage in front of slugger Giancarlo Stanton. He led the majors with eight hit by pitches.
But defensive issues forced the Marlins to demote him on June 3. He committed seven errors at second and one at third. During the spring, he was hit in the face by a bad hop and need to wear a protective mask for 10 days. As a rookie in 2013, he had just two miscues in 57 games.
"I feel very confident," said Dietrich, who arrived in Miami at 8:50 a.m. Sunday. "Unfortunately I feel like one bad hop in spring training set me back a couple weeks, but I know with Perry Hill who's the best defensive guy in Major League Baseball we're going to continue to work and get into a routine and get better every single day."
During his stint in the minors, the 24-year-old has hit .340 with a .431 OBP, six homers and 15 RBI in 13 games. He made one error for a .982 fielding percentage with the Zephyrs.
"I knew I would have a chance to play every day and continue a rhythm," Dietrich said. "I went down there with the same mindset, same approach -- trying to have quality at-bats and do everything I can to help the club win. Things worked out and put together good games and a lot of opportunities to help the club, and I'm thankful for that."
Furcal played in nine games at second and as the leadoff batter after being reinstated from the 60-day DL on June 13. He injured himself running out a double play during the third inning of Saturday's 4-0 loss to the New York Mets.
The 36-year-old signed a one-year deal over the offseason. He missed all of 2013 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
"It's going to be awhile for him," manager Mike Redmond said. "Derek went down and worked hard and is swinging the bat really well, so we got to get him in there and hopefully he'll be a spark for us in the lineup.
"It looks like it can be an extensive thing (with Furcal). We're not putting a timetable on him, but it looks like it could be awhile for him."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
