Miami Marlins players may have had their first day off in three weeks, but the front office kept busy upon its return to South Florida.
The Marlins signed infielder Miguel Tejada to a minor-league contract while releasing right-handed reliever Carlos Marmol on Monday afternoon.
Tejada, 39, is currently serving a 105-game suspension for amphetamines after testing positive three different times.
According to the terms of his suspension, Tejada can appear in games in Double-A or lower starting May 31. Barring postponements, the earliest he'd be eligible to suit up for the Marlins would be June 10 at Texas.
The six-time All-Star and 2002 American League MVP has spent 16 years in the big leagues. In 2013 as a part-time player, he appeared in 53 games with the Kansas City Royals where he hit .288 with five doubles, three home runs and 20 RBI.
Second baseman Rafael Furcal, who the Marlins signed to a one-year deal over the offseason, has not played this season as he remains on the 15-day disabled list.
While on a rehab assignment last month with Double-A Jacksonville for his strained left hamstring, Furcal needed to cut things short when he began experiencing tightness in his right groin.
Marmol, who the Marlins designated for assignment last Sunday in San Diego, was 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA in 15 appearances. In 13 1/3 innings, he allowed 12 runs on 16 hits with 10 walks and 14 strikeouts.
Miami signed him to a one-year contract over the offseason after watching his performance during Dominican Republic winter ball. The organization hoped he could serve as a veteran presence for a young bullpen.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
