MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins expanded their roster with four rookies prior to Tuesday's game against the New York Mets.
Miami recalled left-hander Andrew Heaney, right-hander Anthony DeSclafani and infielders Justin Bour and Kiké Hernandez from Triple-A New Orleans, whose season ended Monday.
With the Marlins still in the National League wild-card race, manager Mike Redmond will try to balance giving the young guys a chance to play without hurting the club's chances.
"We're trying to win ballgames," Redmond said. "The guys that have been grinding and playing -- those guys are going to play. These guys that have come are going to fill a role and to be a part of it. If we need them to pinch-hit and get a big hit, they're going to be available. It's a great opportunity for guys to come up and be a part of us trying to make the playoffs. But the guys we've been running up there are the guys who're going to play."
Heaney, who made his major-league debut June 19 and took a 1-0 loss to the Mets, finished with a 5-4 record and 3.87 ERA between Double-A Jacksonville and the Zephyrs this year. In four big-league starts, the 23-year-old went 0-3 with a 6.53 ERA, a victim of five homers in 20 2/3 innings. Upon his return to the minors, Heaney posted a 2-4 record and 4.30 ERA.
"I think a lot of the reports have been good," Redmond said. "We know this guy's got good stuff and can pitch and can be a big part of our future here going forward. That's why he's here. As far as how many innings or when we're going to get him into a game will be determined going forward."
DeSclafani, meanwhile, will be making his fifth stint this season with the club. The past few times he was sparingly used out of the bullpen as an extra arm. In his big-league debut May 14, DeSclafani allowed two runs in six innings at Dodger Stadium for the victory. The 24-year-old is 1-2 with a 6.84 ERA in seven outings (five starts).
Bour hit .222 (6 for 27) with a double, three runs, four RBI, four walks and nine strikeouts during his previous stints with the Marlins. In Triple-A New Orleans, the 26-year-old batted .306 with 27 doubles, 18 homers and 72 RBI.
Hernandez, acquired at the trade deadline with righty Jarred Cosart from the Houston Astros, went hitless in seven at-bats before being sent down for regular playing time. With the Zephyrs, the 23-year-old hit .250 with five doubles, two homers and six RBI in 21 games.
"Bour gives us a left-handed bat off the bench," Redmond said. "This is a time where we've seen these guys a little bit -- haven't seen them for an extended period of time -- these guys will be options for us off the bench. As far as how much they play or pinch hit will be determined as we go. It's always nice to have extra guys sitting on the bench you can use. The versatility of Kiké gives us a lot of versatility. He can play a lot of positions. It's always nice to have versatile pieces on the bench."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
