The Marlins announced a trio of roster changes this morning, including the reinstatement of Avisail Garcia from the list of COVID-related injuries. Miami also designated infielder Joe Dunand for assignment to create a 40-man roster space, while right-handed Cody Potet was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow muscle injury.
Garcia returns after just two days away, saying his placement on COVID-IL was preventative or due to virus symptoms, but not an actual positive test. The outfielder will return from his brief hiatus and look to turn his season around, as Garcia slashed a meager .207/.237/.290 in his first 152 plate appearances in a Marlins uniform.
Pitching in his second MLB season, Poteet has a 2.42 ERA and 55.7% rushing rate over 26 innings in 2022. Most of that work has come out of the bullpen as a long reliever, but two of Poteet’s last three outings were starts, as Miami needed an injured replacement Jesus Luzardo. Poteet’s last appearance on May 25 didn’t go well, as the Rays scored him for five runs over three innings of work in a 5-4 loss to the Marlins.
With Poteet now sidelined for at least the next 15 days, there will be more speculation about the Marlins’ promising young arms who could be called up for the big league rotation. From the best prospect Max Meyer is recovering from ulnar nerve irritation, Edward Cabrera might be the logical candidate, as Cabrera last pitched on May 26. Between a visa issue in spring training and a bicep injury, Cabrera didn’t pitch until April 27, but he’s since had six minor league starts and a combined 3.90 ERA. over 27 2/3 innings.
As for Luzardo himself, it’s not yet clear when the southpaw could return from his forearm strain. Miami manager Don Mattingly told reporters (including MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola) today that Luzardo’s recovery is “not as good as we would have likedbecause the left-hander hasn’t started throwing yet. Luzuardo’s move to IL is backdated to May 12, so he has already exceeded the minimum period of 15 days.
Dunand made his MLB debut this season, appearing in three games with the Marlins and delivering a 1.064 OPS in his 11 plate appearances. The Miami native doesn’t have a stellar record in the minor leagues, so the Marlins could bet another team won’t ask Dunand, 26, for a waiver. That said, Dunand also has plenty of experience as a third baseman and shortstop as well as a few games at the other two field positions, so a club that needs depth in the field could check him out on the wire. DFA.