Marlins put Anderson in their past, send Meyer and White to Futures Game

Ely Sussman · July 3, 2024

Offishial News for 7/3/24

On Tuesday, Valente Bellozo (5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 98 pitches/61 strikes) was a bit better than his final line would suggest. He set a Marlins franchise record for most strikeouts in a single game by a Mexican-born pitcher. Ceddanne Rafaela's wall-scraping three-run home run allowed the Red Sox to pull away. Jesús Sánchez's 448-foot round-tripper was his second-longest of the season. The Marlins lost, 8-3.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville won, 8-0. RHP Max Meyer (4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 86 pitches/53 strikes) had his first scoreless start of the season, and just as importantly, his longest outing since being optioned. I project him to return to the majors before the end of the month. 1B Troy Johnston hit a three-run homer and should have had a solo shot as well. Double-A Pensacola lost, 6-1. 1B Nathan Martorella went hitless for the fifth consecutive game. His slash line is .173/.228/.226 through 45 games with the Blue Wahoos. High-A Beloit won, 7-3. 1B Brock Vradenburg went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in his High-A debut. Low-A Jupiter lost, 2-0. Having started and recorded extra-base hits on four straight days, INF José Devers is seemingly on the verge of completing his rehab assignment. DSL Marlins lost, 2-0. DSL Miami lost, 1-0.

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 The Fish have mercifully pulled the plug on Tim Anderson, designating the 31-year-old for assignment. Hard to argue that any shortstop in Marlins history has ever struggled more during an extended audition at the position. TA's -1.2 fWAR is tied for sixth-lowest among all MLB hitters this season. He simply brought nothing to the table other than his intangibles and past experiences. In his place, Xavier Edwards will get regular starts at shortstop, Skip Schumaker said. Edwards was involved in a couple plays on Tuesday that showed how a lack of arm strength limits his defensive ceiling. I wouldn't be surprised if, by the end of the season, Edwards and Otto Lopez swap middle infield assignments.

🔷 RHP Noble Meyer and LHP Thomas White are Arlington-bound as the Marlins' Futures Game representatives. They are undoubtedly the organization's top two prospects, though I wouldn't have minded seeing C Joe Mack get priority over Meyer on the basis of superlative individual production. Hopefully, both pitchers get to throw an inning during the exhibition. White just climbed 27 spots on MLB Pipeline's updated Top 100 prospects list. In a Marlins Radio Network interview (embedded below), Meyer referenced multiple times that he wants to get a taste of the Double-A level before season's end.

🔷 Bryan Hoeing (left hamstring strain) is back from his rehab assignment and just waiting for a spot in the Marlins bullpen to open up. Sadly, Ryan Weathers (left index finger strain) is still at least a week away from getting the green light to resume throwing. Don't expect to see him stretched out as a starter until late August.

🔷 The Marlins added another international free agent signing, 17-year-old Venezuelan right-hander Victor Rodriguez. He has been assigned to the DSL Miami roster.

🔷 The Florida Panthers have left Bally Sports Florida for Scripps Sports in an effort to reach a larger South Florida television audience. Bally still has local TV rights for the Marlins and Miami Heat. "Scripps has not had recent conversations with the Heat or Marlins," according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

🔷 Former Marlins GM Kim Ng has been hired by the Athletes Unlimited Softball League as a senior advisor. The league will launch next May.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, talented yet injury-prone Twins third baseman Royce Lewis is likely bound for another IL stint after hurting his groin. The Mets offense again roared to life in extra innings, propelling the club above .500. Aaron Judge hit his 32nd home run and Shohei Ohtani hit his 27th.

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter LHP Trevor Rogers) continue their series against the Red Sox (RHP Brayan Bello). The Marlins have a 48.7% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 6:40 p.m. ET.

🔷 We had a great turnout for the latest episode of Fish On First LIVE! Check out the replay if you missed it the first time.

🔷 Today's MiLB schedule: