Marlins to activate Michael Morse from DL, send Jarred Cosart to Triple-A
The Miami Marlins will reinstate first baseman Michael Morse from the disabled list prior to Sunday's finale in Chicago against the Cubs after optioning right-hander Jarred Cosart to Triple-A New Orleans.
Morse, who went on the 15-day DL with a right ring finger sprain retroactive to May 24, played Saturday for Single-A Jupiter to test out his back that began bothering him earlier in the week. In 11 rehab contests between the Hammerheads, Double-A Jacksonville and the Zephyrs, he batted .270 (10 for 37) with a double, a homer and four RBI with 17 strikeouts and four walks.
Prior to the injury, Morse hit just .211 with four doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI in 37 games. He signed a two-year deal as a free agent over the offseason.
Cosart struggled in his return to the rotation on Saturday at Wrigley Field. He surrendered seven runs on four hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 1 2/3 innings. Kris Bryant belted a two-run homer in the first and a grand slam that chased him in the second. Just 21 of his 44 pitches went for strikes.
The 25-year-old righty missed more than a month with vertigo and made three rehab starts before coming back last week as a member of the bullpen. He fell to 1-4 with a 5.36 ERA in nine big-league games (eight starts).
With Monday off and the All-Star break beginning after next Sunday, the Marlins can shuffle their rotation to close out the first half.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
