Initial September call-ups; more Marlins roster decisions looming

On Sunday, Darren McCaughan's spot start began inauspiciously, allowing a home run and two hit-by-pitches in the very first inning. However, the Marlins offense broke through against Logan Webb during the middle innings. Nick Fortes drove in Miami's first run with an RBI single in the top of the fifth and Kyle Stowers added three more on a 439-foot homer. Griffin Conine went 2-for-4 to raise his batting average to an even .300. José Devers made his 2024 season debut and played second base. The final four relievers that the Marlins used (three of whom were recent waiver claims) pitched flawlessly. The Marlins won, 7-5. It was their first series victory since the trade deadline.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville won, 2-1. LHP Patrick Monteverde recovered from a leadoff home run to have an excellent outing (5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 100 pitches/64 strikes). INF Javier Sanoja had the walk-off infield single. Double-A Pensacola lost, 9-3. 1B Nathan Martorella homered for the sixth time in his last 11 games. Monteverde was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the start he made for the Blue Wahoos on Tuesday prior to his promotion. High-A Beloit won, 6-2. RHP Josh Ekness extended his scoreless streak to 14 innings. Low-A Jupiter won, 5-4. Although he's been a below-average hitter overall with a .237/.283/.301 slash line, SS Carter Johnson continues to excel with runners in scoring position (.333/.379/.519 in 29 PA). 

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🔷 In addition to McCaughan, the Marlins used their other September roster expansion spot on Jhonny Pereda. My expectation is that either he or Devers will be sent down once Xavier Edwards is ready to return from the injured list. Jonathan Bermúdez remains in DFA limbo.

🔷 Another roster decision is on the horizon. This is the 28th day of Josh Simpson's minor league rehab assignment. The maximum length is 30 days. The Marlins either need to recall him to the majors, option him to Triple-A or designate him for assignment.

🔷 Through 44 Marlins series, here's an updated look at the Prediction Time leaderboard. With eight series left, the top 15 participants are still mathematically alive. Make series predictions with us all season long when you become a Fish On First SuperSub.

🔷 I wrote about Devers' frustrating career path, missing chunks of every season due to injury.

🔷 Connor Norby discussed his multi-sport background and the significance of his tattoos with MLB.com's Christina De Nicola.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, with four full weeks still to play, the White Sox set a single-season franchise record by suffering their 107th loss. Across town, the Cubs are very much alive in the NL Wild Card race thanks to an 8-1 road trip. Their offense scored 14-plus runs four separate times during that span. Alex Cobb carried a perfect game into the seventh inning for the Guardians. Josh Jung hit a three-run, walk-off homer against Mason Miller.

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