Offishial News: Let's play 4 over the next 3 days

On Thursday, the Marlins and Cubs were rained out. Convenient timing in the middle of a stretch when Miami was scheduled to play games on 13 consecutive days. The postponement will be made up on Saturday as part of a split doubleheader. I'm thinking Roddery Muñoz is the leading candidate to serve as the 27th man for the doubleheader.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville won, 3-1. LHP Devin Smeltzer continues to fare well as a reliever this season, lowering his ERA to 1.08. Double-A Pensacola lost, 5-3. OF Tanner Allen stuffed the box score (4-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB). Nice bounce-back start for RHP Valente Bellozo (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K). High-A Beloit won, 7-2. OF Brett Roberts went 3-for-5 with two home runs. Low-A Jupiter won, 6-5. Three stolen bases for INF Jesús Hernández.

Here's more Marlins news and content for you:

🔷 In the Miami Herald, Peter Bendix discussed the Marlins' disappointing start to the season with Craig Mish. Bendix says he truly believed the team had a chance to make the postseason this year with young players taking steps forward—he did not specify which particular players and also declined to label anybody as a "building block" for the future. Bendix insists that he's had the full support of owner Bruce Sherman when pursuing roster upgrades and off-the-field investments. In closing, Bendix said, “To Marlins fans—and Marlins skeptics—reading this: thank you for your patience and thank you for your support. I know how much you want to root for a consistently competitive team, and I can assure you we’re working tirelessly to make this happen. We have made tremendous progress in building the organization and I confidently believe we are going to right the ship in the near future.”

🔷 In the latest batch of Marlins injury updates, we learned that Christian Bethancourt (viral illness) is beginning a rehab assignment with Jacksonville tonight and JT Chargois (neck spasms) will begin his own on Sunday. Bethancourt is on track to return from the injured list as soon as he's eligible on Wednesday.

🔷 Jesús Luzardo, Luis Arraez and Tanner Scott could all be valuable trade chips for the Marlins this summer, though not as valuable as originally hoped if they continue to slump, writes Louis Addeo-Weiss.

🔷 On this day 15 years ago, the Marlins defeated the Nationals with another late-game comeback, improving upon their franchise-best 11-1 start to the season.

🔷 MLB Pipeline added Max Meyer to their Top 100 prospects list, joining fellow Marlins pitchers Noble Meyer (No. 51) and Thomas White (No. 97). Meyer is scheduled to start for Jacksonville on Saturday.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Justin Verlander (right shoulder inflammation) will make his season debut today. He reinforces the 6-14 Astros, who to this point have been arguably MLB's most disappointing team.

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter LHP A.J. Puk) visit the Cubs (RHP Jameson Taillon) at 2:20 p.m. ET. Taillon is making his 2024 debut after beginning the season on the injured list with a back strain. The Marlins have a 45.2% chance to win, per FanGraphs.

🔷 Today's MiLB schedule:

• Triple-A Jacksonville vs. Norfolk, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Double-A Pensacola vs. Rocket City, 7:05 p.m. ET
• High-A Beloit vs. South Bend, 7:35 p.m. ET
• Low-A Jupiter at Fort Myers, 7:05 p.m. ET

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