Double-A LHP Andrew Heaney's scoreless streak snapped Tuesday in no-hit loss

Andrew Heaney has had a spectacular July that was recognized Wednesday when he was named the Marlins' Minor League Pitcher of the Month.

But his 33-inning scoreless streak came to an emphatic halt Tuesday night as did Double A Jacksonville's 11-game winning streak when the Suns were no-hit by Cubs prospect Eric Jokisch.

Heaney gave up three runs on four hits in the first and ended up yielding five earned runs in a start that lasted only three innings. It was the first runs given up by Heaney since June 29.

Second baseman Avery Romero, the Marlins' third-round pick in 2012, was named the Marlins Minor League Player of the Month.

The start of Wednesday's game was delayed due to rain.

INJURY UPDATES

Redmond said first baseman Casey Kotchman, out since June 9 with a strained left oblique, was close to playing some rehab games.

Starting lineups

Marlins (43-68): Yelich lf, Lucas 3b, Stanton rf, Morrison 1b, Solano 2b, Hechavarria ss, Marisnick cf, Brantly c, Koehler rhp.

Pirates (68-44): Marte lf, Walker 2b, McCutchen cf, Alvarez 3b, Martin c, Jones 1b, Harrison rf, Mercer ss, Morton rhp.

Nolasco departs; Slowey to start Monday

Ricky Nolasco cleaned out his locker and said his goodbyes in the Marlins clubhouse Sunday morning.

The Marlins traded Nolasco to the Dodgers late Saturday night for minor-league pitchers Angel Sanchez, Steven Ames and Josh Wall.

“I'm going to miss these guys here more than I can say,” said Nolasco, who flew to Arizona Sunday to join the Dodgers for a key series that begins Monday against the Diamondbacks. “But they understand it is a business, and I'll see them in August. I made a lot of lifelong friends here. I'm never going to forget that.”

Although Nolasco felt bittersweet departing after eight seasons with the Marlins, he said he was excited to be able to pitch for his favorite team that he said he’d go watch in person around 15 times a year with his dad and brothers growing up.

“The phone has been non-stop,” Nolasco said. “Obviously, I've never dealt with anything like that to where the phone was just blowing up. Everybody is just excited, everybody from back home. Even people who don't have my number, on Twitter and stuff, obviously where I grew up, they're all excited to see this happen. It's just an exciting time.”

Nolasco’s teammates wished him well and were happy he ended up in a good situation with the trade.

“He’s going to the perfect spot for him,” Giancarlo Stanton said. “To be able to go to where you want without having a choice is always a little extra bonus. It won’t be a tough transition for him.”

Nolasco, who went 5-8 with a 3.85 ERA in 18 starts for the Marlins, doesn’t know when he will make his first start for the Dodgers, but it could come during a key series with the Diamondbacks – the team they trail by 4½ games in the National League West.

 “Obviously we’ll miss Ricky and what he brought to this team, and the leadership he brought to this team, but at the same time, too, we all kind of knew this was going to happen,” Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. “It’s good for Ricky that he’s going to go play for a good team, and a place where he wants to go. We wish him all the best.”

SLOWEY STARTS

Nolasco’s trade meant Kevin Slowey’s return to the rotation for the time being. Slowey will start Monday in what would have been Nolasco’s spot against the Braves.

“[Redmond] talked to me about it yesterday,” Slowey said. “He knows the importance of preparation. I don’t think I’ll know until tomorrow but I’ll be as ready as I can be and the preparation will be there. It will be up to me to go and execute and do my best.”

Ames and Wall were assigned to New Orleans and Sanchez, the only starter of the group, was sent to Single-A Jupiter.

Slowey will likely remain the fifth starter in the rotation until at least the All-Star break. Marlins President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest said Saturday the team will use the second half to evaluate several potential starters including Tom Koehler (1-5, 4.70 ERA in 69 innings – 10 starts this season), who was recently sent to Triple-A to clear room for Henderson Alvarez, and prospects right-handers Anthony DeSclafani, Sam Dyson and lefties Adam Conley and Brian Flynn.

The Marlins also recalled pitcher Chris Hatcher from Triple-A New Orleans and transferred infielder Chris Valaika to the 60-day disabled list.

Starting lineups

Marlins (32-54): Pierre lf, Lucas 3b, Stanton rf, Morrison 1b, Ozuna cf, Dietrich 2b, Hechavarria ss, Mathis c, Fernandez p

Cardinals (52-34): Caprenter 2b, Beltran rf, Holliday lf, Craig 1b, Freese 3b, Jay cf, Cruz c, Kozma ss, Lynn p

Marlins send P Tom Koehler to NOLA, move OF Matt Diaz to 60-day DL

To make room for Henderson Alvarez on the roster and in the team’s starting rotation, the Marlins optioned rookie Tom Koehler to Triple-A New Orleans.

            Alvarez was expected to make his first start of the season Thursday after returning from the disabled list with shoulder inflammation.

            Koehler had been in the rotation since May 12 and made 10 starts going 1-5 with a 4.70 ERA. In his last start Tuesday, Koehler finished with a no-decision after pitching five innings and allowing three runs (two earned).

            Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Koehler would continue to start for the time being at New Orleans.

            “I thought Tom did a good job when he was here giving us some flexibility where he could start and come in out of the bullpen,” Redmond said. “He got some valuable experience. He threw the ball well and threw strikes and did all the things we talked about in Spring Training that he needed to do to be successful. He got some opportunities because guys were hurt, but now guys are coming back.”

            The Marlins also transferred outfielder Matt Diaz to the 60-day disabled list.

Tonight's lineups

Marlins (31-52): Ruggiano lf; Lucas 3b; Stanton rf; Morrison 1b; Ozuna cf; Dietrich 2b; Hechavarria ss; Mathis c; Alvarez p.

Braves (49-35): Simmons ss; Heyward rf; J. Upton lf; Freeman 1b; McCann c; Uggla 2b; B.J. Upton cf; C. Johnson 3b; Teheran p.

Marlins to call up C Rob Brantly; Hayes optioned to NOLA

           The Marlins optioned catcher Brett Hayes to Triple-A New Orleans following Sunday’s game and will bring up recently-acquired catcher Rob Brantly.

            Brantly, a 23-year old left-handed hitting catcher, was part of the trade July 23 that sent Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez to Detroit. Brantly hit .365 with two home runs, four doubles and 11 RBI in 14 games for New Orleans.

            “When we traded for him, we knew he had pretty good offensive upside,” Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said. “It’s a small sample size, but he’s hit the ball very well. The pitchers down there love him. He’s still working on some defensive stuff, but we feel like he can work on them up here and take a look at him.”

            Beinfest said although John Buck remains the starting catcher, the team will find ways to get Brantly a good amount of playing time to get him Major League experience and begin to evaluate him at that level.

            “When you give up the kind of guys we did to get him, it’s because we felt he can be an every day catcher in this league,” Beinfest said. “I don’t think you want to bring him up and have him sit. You want to look for some advantageous situations for him, but he needs to play.”

            Guillen said: “We’re going to try to figure out playing time and how many games a week because he’s being brought up to play.”

 

Marlins designate Jose Lopez for assignment; recall PCL All-Star Bryan Petersen

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jose Lopez's stint with the Marlins is over. The former All-Star, signed on June 9th after being cut by the Rockies, was designated for assignment Saturday after playing in just 12 games with the Marlins.

Lopez hit .103 (3 for 31) with no RBI, 3 runs scored in his time in teal. He made seven starts. In his last at-bat Friday, he pinch hit in the ninth inning and struckout looking.

The Marlins recalled Pacific Coast League All-Star and outfielder Bryan Petersen to take his place. This will be Petersen's fourth stint with the Marlins in the big leagues. A career .290 hitter in the minors and former fourth round pick in 2007, Petersen was hitting .351 in 67 games for the Triple A New Orleans (10th best batting average in the Pacific Coast League) with 21 doubles, 11 homers, 26 RBI and six stolen bases.

Petersen has never been able to get significant playing time with the Marlins before, making just one career start in 27 games. He's had 28 at-bats in the big leagues and has just two hits, 2 runs and 2 RBI. He went 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored from May 2-11 in his previous call-up.

No word yet if Petersen will still participate in the Triple A All-Star Game July 13th in Salt Lake City.

Logan Morrison welcomed Petersen to the Dallas area with this tweet: "Dallas just got a little bit Hotter with the arrival of teen heartthrob @Peteypipes."

Yelich one of 32 draft picks signed by Marlins

The Marlins signed first baseman/outfielder Christian Yelich, the 23rd overall pick in Major League Baseball's 2010 First-Year Player Draft, shortly before the midnight signing deadline Monday night.

Baseball America reported Yelich secured a $1.7 million signing bonus -- a little higher than the estimated slot bonus for the 23rd overall pick which was $1.26 million.

The Marlins signed all but four of their first 30 draft picks. The exceptions were fourth rounder Alvin Toles, an outfielder out of Sandy Creek HS in Fayetteville, Ga.; right-hander Randy LeBlanc (16th rounder) out of Covington High School in Abita Springs, La.; right-hander Blake Treinen (23rd rounder) out of South Dakota State University and catcher Charles Keefer (28th rounder) out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

Yelich, 18, played for Westlake High School, CA and had committed to the University of Miami. A left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower, Yelich is currently listed at 6-4, 190-pounds.

The Marlins agreed to terms with 32 players draft picks and six free agents. They are listed below in the round they were taken.

1. Christian Yelich, OF, L/L, 6-4, 190, Westlake High, Westlake Village, CA
2. Robert Rasmussen, LHP, L/L, 5-10, 170, UCLA
3. Jacob Realmuto, INF, R/R, 6-1, 190, Carl Albert High, Midwest City, OK
5. Robert Morey, RHP, R/R, 6-1, 185, University of Virginia
6. Joseph Varner, RHP, R/R, 6-4, 200, University of Texas-Arlington
7. Mark Canha, OF, R/R, 6-2, 200, University of Cal-Berkley
8. Alan Oaks, RHP, R/R, 6-3, 200, University of Michigan
9. Austin Brice, RHP, R/R, 6-3, 185, Northwood High, Pittboro, N.C.
10. Aaron Senne, IF, L/L, 6-3, 200, University of Missouri
11. Grant Dayton, LHP, L/L, 6-2, 200, Auburn University
12. James Wooster, OF, L/L, 6-1, 200, Alvin CC, League City, TX
13. Kentrell Dewitt, OF, L/R, 5-11, 185, Southeastern CC, Green Sea, SC
14. Daniel Black, INF, L/R, 6-2, 170, University of Oklahoma
15. Ryan Fisher, OF, L/R, 6-3, 195, UC Irvine
17. Zachary Neal, RHP, R/R, 6-2, 210, University of Oklahoma
18. Corey Goudeau, RHP, R/R, 6-2, 190, Frank Phillips College, Amarillo, TX
19. Dallas Poulk, INF, L/R, 6-0, 175, N.C. State University
20. Alfredo Lopez, INF, R/R, 5-10, 160, Compton CC, Long Beach, CA
21. Kenneth Toves, LHP, L/L, 6-3, 210, University of New Mexico
22. Jeremy Heatley, RHP, R/R, 6-2, 215, University of Arkansas
24. Greggory Glime, C, S/R, 5-11, 210, Baylor University
25. Michael Ojala, RHP, 6-3, 195, Rice University
26. Todd Muecklisch, INF, R/R, 5-10, 175, Lewis-Clark State College, Auburn, WA
27. Brandon Cunniff, RHP, R/R, Cal. St.-San Bernardino
29. Viosergy Ross, INF, L/L, 6-3, 190, Odessa College, Bronx, NY
30 Zack Robertson, LHP, L/L 6-1, 215, University of Iowa
32. Edward Rodriguez, C, R/R, 6-1, 215, University of Oregon
36. Jared Rogers, RHP, R/R, 6-6, 190, Rice University
37. Christopher Squires, RHP, R/R, 6-2, 195, Indiana University
38. Forrest Moore, LHP, L/L, 6-2, 195, Mississippi State
45. Jeremy Weber, RHP, R/R, 6-5, 185, Chaffey College, Montclair, CA
48. James Wright, LHP, L/L, 6-2, 220, Orange Coast College, West Jordan, UT

Undrafted free agents signed
Kevin Cravey, RHP, R/R, 6-1, 180, Texas A&M
Aaron Dudley, C, L/R, 6-2, 205, University of Toledo
John Lambert, LHP, L/L, 6-6, 230, North Carolina State
Brian McConkey, 1B, L/R, 6-2, 210, UC Riverside
Scott Rembisz, RHP, R/R, 6-1, 215, FIU
Steven Stein, RHP, R/R, 6-0, 170, Western Oklahoma State

Marlins sign veteran infielder Chad Tracy

Hey fans,

Andre Fernandez filling in for Manny and Clark today. Here's some news on a move the Marlins made today:

   The Marlins signed free agent infielder Chad Tracy Thursday in
the hopes of adding depth at the third base position.

   Tracy, 30, was recently with the New York Yankees' Triple-A
affiliate, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, before being released last
week. Tracy began the season with the Cubs, and hit .250 in 28
games before being sent down to the minors. At Scranton, Tracy
hit .324 with six home runs and 18 RBI in 68 plate appearances.

   Tracy, a left-handed batter, spent six seasons with the
Diamondbacks and is a career .279 hitter.

   "I was sitting at home [in Charlotte] when the Marlins
called,'' Tracy said. "I didn't have any idea they'd call.
There's always possibilities all over the place and different
variables.''

   Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said before Thursday's game
that Tracy will be used primarily off the bench, and should get
some playing time at third base.

   "This year, [while managing in the minors], I saw him when we
played the Cubs Triple-A team in Iowa,'' Marlins manager Edwin
Rodriguez said. "In that series, he had eight or nine hits. He's
a very good hitter. A good defender, playable at first or
third.''

   The move came a day after the Marlins optioned outfielder
Bryan Petersen and catcher Brad Davis to Triple-A New Orleans,
and activated catcher Brett Hayes from the disabled list.

   Tracy said he'd gladly conform to any role the Marlins give
him.

   "It's whatever I can do to help,'' Tracy said. "The reason I
left the Yankees was because I didn't want to play in minors
anymore. I'm happy to be back up.''

Two Marlins' minor leaguers suspended for PEDs

Baseball announced the suspension of five minor league pitchers Friday for the use of performance-enhancing drugs and a pair of 17-year old, right-handed Dominican minor league pitchers on the Marlins Dominican Summer League team were among them.

According to an email from the commissioner's office, Yeims Mendoza and Andy Parra will each serve 50-game suspensions for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Mendoza, 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA in seven appearances, tested positive for a metabolite of Boldenone and metabolites of Nandrolone, while Parra (0-0 with a 4.26 ERA in four appearances including one start) tested positive for metabolites of Nandrolone.

On Thursday, commissioner Bud Selig implemented random blood testing for human growth hormone in the minor leagues, making baseball the first professional sports league in the United States to take the aggressive step against doping. The feeling in the Marlins clubhouse is split on whether or not it will ever make it to the big leagues.

"Eventually, I think it will," said third baseman Wes Helms, the player-rep to the union for the Marlins. "I know they are going to try to get testing as strong as possible and the only way to get it as strong as possible is to test for that.

"You want the fans out there knowing the guys putting up the big numbers are doing it clean. The only way to do that is to have a 100-percent, fool-proof test and to test for everything."

But not everyone in the clubhouse necessarily likes the way HGH testing is performed. Catcher John Baker said he thinks have blood drawn is intrusive. He prefers urine tests.

"I think you're going to have trouble convincing guys to give blood before they go out and compete before a game. I think it's something that will be talked about and discussed and debated. Is it good enough for the greater good to have somebody take blood out of my body before I play baseball."

"Honestly, I feel bad for the guys in the minor leagues because they've always been used as guinea pigs. They have no union and sometimes it feels like they have no rights. Sometimes you're tested for things in the minor leagues, you don't get tested for in the big leagues. Great example: Tobacco. How many people does tobacco kill a year? 450,000. We can use tobacco on the field in major league baseball. It's frowned upon, but nobody calls you on it. In the minor leagues, it's a $1,000 fine if you get caught using dip. It's another instance we have a lot more rights. I don't see the union using invasive testing, especially if it isn't accurate."

Manager Edwin Rodriguez, who has spent the last eight years in the Marlins farm system, said he's all for testing at the major league level. "Like it or not, I think baseball players are role models and we have to make sure to send the right message to the people out there," Rodriguez said."

Marlins dip into minors, shake up 'pen

A night after watching their bullpen implode in a loss to the Braves, the Marlins dipped into their minor league system Thursday afternoon to bring in some fresh blood.

Former first round pick Taylor Tankersley, a left-hander who pitched for the Marlins in 2008, and right-hander Jay Buente were called up from Triple A New Orleans to replace Renyel Pinto, who went on the 15-day disabled list with a left hip strain, and the struggling Burke Badenhop, who started the bullpen's six run, seventh inning Wednesday and fell to 0-5 with a 6.43 ERA.

The Hopper's demotion was inevitable considering how much he struggled this month. His sinker and slider simply weren't working the way it was in April when he had a 3.65 ERA and was still getting big outs. Badenhop posted a 10.38 ERA in eight appearances this month.

Pinto's loss might be celebrated by more than a few fans in the streets here in Miami. But aside from making things dramatic by walking and hitting a few guys this season, Pinto's numbers actually aren't bad. He had an 2.30 ERA in 19 appearances, 15 2/3 innings.

Tankersley was 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA in 20 games for the Zephyrs with 17 strikeouts and six walks. He was with the Marlins for 25 games two seasons ago and was 0-1 with a 8.15 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. He missed all of the 2009 season after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left elbow.

This is the first big league appearance, meanwhile, for Buente, a 26-year old former 14th round pick out of Purdue in the 2006 draft. He spent most of his fourth pro season last year between Double A Jacksonville and New Orleans, going 5-2 with a 3.14 ERA. He was 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 19 games in Triple A before this.

Utility man Mike Lamb, meanwhile, was also recalled from New Orleans to take the spot of outfield Bryan Peterson, who was sent down to Triple A Wednesday. Peterson was 1 for 16 in mostly pinch-hit appearances for the Marlins. Lamb was hitting .250 in 13 games for the Zephyrs. He was hitting .222 with only 3 RBI in 18 games when the Marlins first sent him down earlier this month.

We'll have more once the clubhouse opens.

> Today's lineup: 1. Chris Coghlan LF, 2. Gaby Sanchez 1B, 3. Hanley Ramirez SS, 4. Jorge Cantu 3B, 5. Dan Uggla 2B, 6. Cody Ross RF, 7. Ronny Paulino C, 8. Cameron Maybin CF, 9. Ricky Nolasco P.

Marlins sign Mientkiewicz to minor league deal

The Marlins signed veteran first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, a local product out of Westminster Christian School in Miami, to a minor league deal Wednesday afternoon. Jim Fleming, Marlins Vice President of Player Development and Scouting, said Mientkiwicz will start in Triple A New Orleans and was brought in as insurance should the Marlins need a veteran left-handed bat off the bench.

"He's a proven guy who has a lot of experience," Fleming said. "We have a lot of young, talented guys. But this gives us another option should we need it."

Mientkiewicz, 35, played in 20 games for the Dodgers last season and had only 20 plate appearances, going 6 for 18 (.333) with a double, three RBI and six strikeouts, before a shoulder injury sidelined him the rest of the year. He signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in December, but quickly sought his release after being told he wouldn't make the team, and the Dodgers waited a week before granting it. He reportedly declined a chance to coach for Joe Torre, and later passed on Bret Boone's recruiting efforts for his independent league club according to Baseball America.

Mientkiewicz, who starred at Florida State and played on the same high school team as Alex Rodriguez, last played a full season in 2008 with the Pirates. He hit .277 with two homers and 30 RBI in 285 at-bats. He is a career .271 hitter and won a Gold Glove in 2001 with the Twins.

The Marlins of course have 22-year old talented first baseman Logan Morrison in their farm system, considered one of the Top 25 prospects in the game. Morrison, though, recently injured his shoulder and is rehabbing a bone bruise in Single A Jupiter.

"The MRI didn't show anything that required surgery," Fleming said. "He just needs some rehab work. We're thinking three weeks and he'll be back. In two weeks, he'll take some at-bats in the Gulf Coast League."

> Andrew Miller's career, meanwhile, continues to flounder. The 24-year old former first round pick acquired by the Marlins in the Miguel Cabrera trade from the Tigers is back down in Single A Jupiter after returning from a sprained ankle.

He was rocked in his first minor league start by the Palm Beach Cardinals on April 30. In 2 2/3 innings pitched, Miller gave up four hits, three earned runs and walked six despite striking out six. His ERA in Single A is 10.12. Fleming said the Marlins brought him to Jupiter so he could work closely on his delivery, something pitching Randy St. Claire tried tinkering with this spring but couldn't get Miller to correct enough.

"We're just trying to build him back up, help him get some command on his fastballs," Fleming said. "We're going to start there and hopefully build some consistency. There's really no timetable with him."

> Fleming said it is the same story with prized 20-year old outfielder Mike Stanton, who despite hitting .337 with 13 homers and 29 RBI in 26 games won't be leaving Jacksonville anytime soon. "There's no thought of moving him up to Triple A just yet," Fleming said. "We're being patient."

Fleming said Stanton isn't the only prospect playing well for the Suns. 

"Mike Stanton has really overshadowed what Ozzie Martinez has been doing," Fleming said of Martinez, a 21-year old shortstop from Puerto Rico. "He's hitting .375 and playing terrific defense for us. You also have Alejandro Sanabia. He is [2-0 with a 1.15 ERA] in five starts."