After Brad Hand struggled in a pair of starts, the Miami Marlins have decided to insert Kevin Slowey into the starting rotation. Miami could consider a four man rotation because the club has a pair of Thursdays off.
When Miami Marlins starter Jacob Turner was bothered by an injured shoulder and was placed on the disabled list, Brad Hand was called upon to make a pair of starts. But after having difficulty finding the strike zone throughout both outings, the Marlins decided on Wednesday to place Kevin Slowey in that rotation spot and send Hand back to the bullpen, according to an ESPN report.
Right-hander Kevin Slowey will move into the Miami Marlins' rotation to replace struggling left-hander Brad Hand and start Sunday against Seattle.
The start will be first for Slowey since July 8. He started 14 games for Miami last year and went 3-6 overall with a 4.11 ERA.
Slowey opened last season in the Marlins' rotation, and posted one of baseball's best ERAs in April. Slowey, like Hand, opened the season in the Marlins' bullpen after being resigned as a non-roster invitee during the offseason. He was shut down for the second half of last year with an injury, and has posted a 4.38 ERA in 12 and a third innings thus far in 2014.
Slowey has been notably effective as Mike Redmond's long relief option. Although his velocity may not be Jose Fernandez-like, when Slowey has command of all of his pitches and consistently throws strikes, he is a solid starting option. Slowey's high ERA is mainly the result of yielding four runs to the Nationals last week .
After losing to the Nationals 9-2 on Monday, Hand fell to 1-11 in his career as a starter. He primarily made the team because he is out of options, and has posted a 6.35 ERA in 11 and a third innings. In his first two relief appearances of the year (five total innings), Hand didn't give up a run. But in a pair of starts against the Nationals, Hand gave up eight runs in six and a third combined innings, walking three and striking out six.
Turner's status will likely determine Miami's rotation for the coming week. In addition to having today off, the Marlins also have next Thursday off between series against the Braves and Mets. Miami could go with a four man rotation for the time being. Turner reportedly will throw in the bullpen on Friday, but if his rehab takes longer than expected, Slowey isn't a bad option, and should be better than Hand was in his starts.