Results tagged ‘ Mike Lamb ’
Petersen recalled from Triple-A
The Marlins added a left-handed bat off the bench on Sunday morning, recalling outfielder Bryan Petersen from Triple-A New Orleans.
The 24-year-old has been called up and sent down a couple of times previously this season. He’s appeared in 12 games for the Marlins this season. He’s 1-for-16 with Florida, with his lone hit being a pinch-hit single in his first big league plate appearance.
Petersen, who was batting .259 at New Orleans, replaces the roster spot vacated when infielder Mike Lamb was designated for assignment.
Petersen is capable of playing all three outfield positions, and he also is a pinch-run options. He addes some outfield depth at a time Chris Coghlan is dealing with a lower back strain.
Coghlan left Saturday’s game after the fifth inning due to back discomfort.
– Joe Frisaro
Marlins roster moves
Before facing the Braves on Thursday night, the Marlins made an assortment of roster moves.
The team recalled left-hander Taylor Tankersley and right-hander Jay Buente from Triple-A New Orleans. Infielder Mike Lamb had his contract selected from New Orleans. The veteran, who opened the season with the club, returns for his second stint. He becomes a left-handed bat off the bench.
The Marlins also placed lefty reliever Renyel Pinto on the 15-day disabled list with a left hip strain.
Tankersley joins Dan Meyer as the lefties working out of the pen. The former first-round pick in 2004 is in the big leagues for the first time since July of 2008. He missed all of last year after undergoing stress fracture elbow surgery.
Tankersley appeared in 20 games with New Orleans. In 19 1/3 innings, he struck out 17 and walked six.
Buente, like Tankersley, was in big league camp with the Marlins. At New Orleans, the right-hander struck out 35 in 26 2/3 innings, but he has walked 17.
Badenhop has struggled in May. The right-hander, who suffered the loss on Wednesday, has given up at least one run in six of his seven appearances in May.
Lamb had been playing third base at New Orleans. He was 10-for-40 (.250) with the Zephyrs.
After Wednesday’s game, the Marlins optioned outfielder Bryan Petersen to Triple-A.
– Joe Frisaro
Marlins option Petersen
Bryan Petersen, who has seen limited playing time, was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans after the Marlins’ 7-3 loss to the Braves on Wednesday night.
The team didn’t announce who would get brought up. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said the team would announce who is getting the call up on Thursday.
A source said it will be lefty reliever Taylor Tankersley.
At Triple-A New Orleans, Tankersley is 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA. In 19 innings, he has struck out 17, while walking six.
If the Marlins consider adding a position player, among position players in line to be called up are Emilio Bonifacio, who is at Triple-A New Orleans. And Mike Lamb, who is not on the 40-man roster. Bonifacio is on the 40-man. It is still a week or two too early for Mike Stanton to get the call.
Petersen was 1-for-16 with the Marlins, with his lone hit coming in his first MLB at-bat.
“He’s a young player, sitting on the bench, and pinch-hitting every once a game, that’s not what you want to have with a young player,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez joked afterwards when asked if the initials of the player being called up is M.S, “You mean Mike Schmidt.”
– Joe Frisaro
Petersen to get call, Lamb designated
After Thursday night’s loss to the Giants, the Marlins announced they are designating Mike Lamb for assignment, and selecting the contract of Bryan Petersen.
Petersen, who was at Triple-A New Orleans, was added to the 40-man roster, in place of Lamb, who had been the lefty bat off the bench.
A left-handed hitter, Petersen enjoyed a strong Spring Training, and he is an option to bat at the top of the order.
The announcement was made on Thursday, and Petersen will join the team in Washington on Friday.
With Cameron Maybin struggling, Cody Ross may end up playing more in center field, with Petersen being an option to play right field.
Now that Lamb has been designated, Doug Mientkiewicz is someone to watch at Triple-A New Orleans. Mientkiewicz, signed recently to a Minor League deal, becomes an option to join the team as the left-handed bat off the bench.
Promoting Petersen also creates an opening for John Raynor to see playing time at New Orleans.
The surplus of outfielders the Marlins have in the organization increases the likelihood of a June trade for relief help. Early June remains a realistic target date to promote Mike Stanton.
– Joe Frisaro
Lamb learning from Helms
Peer pressure has no age limit.
Yes, the presence of veteran Wes Helms is important in the development of the younger Marlins players. His work ethic also isn’t lost on Mike Lamb, a 33-year-old with nine seasons in the big leagues.
“He’s a great example to the younger kids, guys coming up, who think they know it all. Not anyone here, in particular,” Lamb said of Helms. “He’s definitely a good example of having a work ethic and being prepared to do the job.
“Peer pressure, it affects everybody, and not just teenagers doing stupid stuff. When you have a guy like that, it rubs off on people. It rubs off on me, and hopefully on the younger guys.”
Helms and Lamb are the two most seasoned Marlins off the bench. The two are the primary pinch-hit options, with Lamb batting from the left side and Helms from the right.
Lamb is in his first season with the Marlins, while Helms is an established presence, who has taken players like Chris Coghlan and Brett Carroll under his wing.
What stands out, to Lamb, is how Helms prepares.
“Success or failure is not really up to the individual. It’s an occurance, really,” Lamb said. “The thing about it is if you are not preparing yourself to be in that moment, that’s where the failure lies. If you’re a guy with talent, and toughness and you play three years instead of 15 becaus, it might be because you cheated yourself in the preparation aspect of it.”
Helms is the type of player who won’t let younger guys slack off.
“He’s a good example for the rookies coming up to not take this opportunity for granted,” Lamb said. “To not let it slip away. To take advantage of it. To prepare yourself like a professional, rather than taking things for granted. If not, the next thing you know, you’re 26 and you’re out of the game. His success is a testament to his preparation.”
– Joe Frisaro
Marlins-Mets lineups
The Marlins and Mets are squaring off in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday.
Josh Johnson, Florida’s Opening Day starter, will be making his final Grapefruit League appearance. Johnson will be on about an 80-pitch limit. The right-hander was scratched from his last start with a stomach virus, and he is still in the process of regaining all his strength.
Johnson will face New York on Monday at Citi Field.
MARLINS
1) Chris Coghlan, LF
2) Cameron Maybin, CF
3) Hanley Ramirez, SS
4) Mike Lamb, 3B
5) John Baker, C
6) Donnie Murphy, 2B
7) Gaby Sanchez, 1B
8) Bryan Petersen, RF
9) Josh Johnson, P
METS
1) Angel Pagan, CF
2) Luis Castillo, 2B
3) David Wright, 3B
4) Mike Jacobs, 1B
5) Jason Bay, LF
6) Jeff Francoeur, RF
7) Russ Adams, SS
8) Omir Santoss, C
9) Nelson Figueroa, P
– Joe Frisaro
Marlins-Nationals lineups
The Marlins and Nationals will square off on Tuesday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium. Chris Volstad and Garrett Mock will be the starting pitchers for the 1:05 p.m. ET contest.
1) Nyjer Morgan, CF
2) Cristian Guzman, SS
3) Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4) Adam Dunn, 1B
5) Mike Morse, LF
6) Adam Kennedy, 2B
7) Ivan Rodriguez, C
8) Willy Taveras, CF
9) Garrett Mock, P
1) Chris Coghlan, LF
2) Cameron Maybin, CF
3) Dan Uggla, 2B
4) Mike Lamb, 3B
5) Ronny Paulino, C
6) Gaby Sanchez, 1B
7) Bryan Petersen, RF
8) Brian Barden, SS
9) Chris Volstad, P
– Joe Frisaro
Forecasting roster spots
Speculating on who will stay and go is part of the fun in Spring Training.
In Marlins camp, there are some interesting position battles going on, and as we head into the final two weeks, here are some things to follow.
Based on conversations and observations, it looks as if the backup position player spots are coming into focus.
Obviously, until moves are official, anything can happen. But taking the temperature of the ballclub as of Saturday afternoon, it looks like the position players off the bench may be Ronny Paulino, Wes Helms, Emilio Bonifacio, Brian Barden and Mike Lamb.
The Marlins every day outfield, if healthy, is set. Unlike last year, when Jeremy Hermida was frequently removed for defensive reasons in the late innings, there may not be a need for a defensive outfield replacement. Chris Coghlan, Cameron Maybin and Cody Ross won’t be coming out of games because of their defense.
Bonifacio, meanwhile, can play center field, as well as infield. Cody Ross, who will play right field, also can move to center field, if needed.
Barden has been on the team’s radar for more than a year, and chances are good that he will break camp with the club. Now that they have him, he is a quality defensive infielder who can play shortstop, second and third base. On Sunday in Viera against the Nationals, he subbed in at third base.
Gaby Sanchez most likely will win the first base job. If in late innings, the Marlins take Sanchez, a rookie, out for whatever reasons, Jorge Cantu can slide from third base to first base. Barden could get playing time at third in that scenario. Helms, the primary pinch-hitter option, also could fill that role.
Defensively, Barden is very good. He may be this year’s version of Alfredo Amezaga, who is now with the Dodgers.
Lamb, meanwhile, has the edge as the left-handed bat off the bench. In Spring Training, Lamb is 5-for-15, with a .375 on-base percentage. Lamb hasn’t struck out in Spring Training. To fill that lefty situational role, the Marlins are looking for someone who makes contact.
Primarily a first and third basemen, Lamb also could be the emergency third catcher.
It is looking like Jorge Jimenez, the Rule 5 claim who was dealt to Florida as part of the Matt Lindstrom trade, may not fit into the Marlins plans right now. If the Marlins indeed decide to keep Lamb, then Jimenez would likely be offered back to the Red Sox, his original team. Jimenez is 3-for-18 thus far.
Again, the team hasn’t officially made any final decisions, and jobs could still be won based on merit, or if there are injuries.
Typically, how players are used in these final two weeks will indicate what roles the club is considering. The Marlins soon will be looking to give their regulars more playing time, which limits opportunity for prospects who project to open in the Minor Leagues.
On Monday, the Marlins are off, and two starting pitching candidates are slated to throw in Minor League games on the back fields at Roger Dean Stadium — Andrew Miller and Clay Hensley.
– Joe Frisaro
(in photo, Brian Barden)
The Fish Pond
Recent Comments