PHILADELPHIA -- Elih Villanueva's first day in the majors lasted for all of three innings. Now he's returning to Triple A New Orleans after being pulverized by the Phillies in his first major league debut. The Marlins selected the contract of infielder Jose Lopez and are starting him at SECOND base in the second game of the doubleheader, which starts at 7:05.
And that's not the all of it. Reliever Edward Mujica was awaiting the results of X-rays on his right wrist, which he injured in a tumbling collision at first base with Wilson Valdez in the seventh inning. The initial diagnosis is a sprained wrist. Mujica said he was feeling a lot of pain. There's obviously a chance he goes on the disabled list and the Marlins call up Jose Ceda, who is already in Philadelphia. But no word yet on that.
To make room for Lopez on the 40-man roster, the Marlins designated catcher Brad Davis for assignment.
The Marlins signed Lopez a few days ago after he was released by the Colorado Rockies. Lopez spent seven seasons with Seattle, where he enjoyed his best season in 2009 when he hit 25 home runs and drove in 96. But he's tailed off at the plate the past two seasons. He hit just .208 for the Rockies before his release.
"I look at this as an opportunity to play everyday," Lopez said. "(In Colorado) I didn't play everyday. I have to play everyday. This year I play one, off four, play another one, off five. I don't like that. I want to play."
Manager Edwin Rodriguez didn't indicate how he intended to use Lopez, who also plays second.
The Rockies are on the hook for all but the pro-rated minimum of Lopez's $3.6 million salary this season.
As for Villanueva, it was a rough debut. He gave up eight runs in only three innings, during which he threw 92 pitches, only 52 of them for strikes.
"Trying to be too fine," Villaneuva said of Wednesday's performance. "I wish things had turned out a little bit better, but the command was off."
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