Is it time for Lewin Diaz in Miami? It’s the toughest question Marlins face at deadline
The Miami Marlins have, apparently, been itching for a chance to bring Lewin Diaz back to the Majors.
He, apparently, has been ready for the call.
The Marlins found an opportunity this week to squeeze in an opportunity for the rookie first baseman. With two road games against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday and Wednesday, Miami got a rare opportunity to use a designated hitter, which meant a rare opportunity to play Diaz and Jesus Aguilar in the same lineup, so Diaz came with the Marlins to Maryland for two chances in the starting lineup.
In the first, Diaz looked like a hitter ready for MLB playing time, going 2 for 5 with a home run in a 7-3 win against the Orioles on Tuesday in Baltimore.
“If he’s getting those at-bats,” manager Don Mattingly said, “it’s worth him being here.”
Miami called up Diaz before the two-game series in Baltimore, designated starting pitcher Luis Madero for assignment, and immediately inserted Diaz into the lineup at first base and No. 5 in the order in front of 10,098 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
In his first at-bat in the top of the second inning, Diaz sliced a single to left field off Baltimore pitcher Spenser Watkins. In his third, Diaz led off the fifth by smashing a 390-foot homer to right field to give starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara a commanding 5-1 lead in his return from the bereavement list.
The homer went 105.6 mph off the bat, and was the Marlins’ hardest hit ball of the game and one of three to go at least 94. The single, though, was the example of why Mattingly doesn’t hesitate to give him regular at-bats.
Diaz started at first base and batted fifth. He knocked a single the opposite way in his first at-bat in the second inning, then crushed a 390-foot solo home run to lead off the fifth.
Although Diaz is batting only .182 in the Majors this year and .221 for Triple A Jacksonville, Mattingly sees a much more comfortable hitter than he did last season, when Miami had to rush Diaz up to the Marlins because of its COVID-19 issues.
The power, at this point, is undeniable — he has three already in 12 MLB games this season, plus 14 in the minors — and he’s putting together better at-bats, Mattingly said, even though the production numbers aren’t there yet.
“I’ve grown in that part of my game,” Diaz said through an interpreter. “I think it’s something that I have to apply to my game more often, mostly here in the Major League level. If you’re hitting more of the sides, that’s something that you’ve got to continue to do, just hitting all over the field.”
As of now, Mattingly would only commit to keeping Diaz with Miami (45-57) for the two games against Orioles (34-65) with the DH, but he acknowledged circumstances could change quickly. The trade deadline is Friday and Aguilar, who has a .791 on-base-plus-slugging percentage and leads MLB with 72 RBIs, is one of several sought-after hitters in the Marlins’ lineup and could be playing elsewhere by the weekend.
“We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen,” Mattingly said. “We’re going to do what’s best for Lewin. He comes here this series — we know there’s at-bats for him, we know there’s playing time for him, so that’s the key. The last thing you want, really, is for him to be here, and sitting on the bench and not having a chance to play because he’s not going to improve like that.”
For now, this will just be a glimpse, but it could quickly become something more. With Miami plummeting out of contention this month, the Marlins are ready to start prioritizing 2022 and beyond, and Diaz, ideally, will be central to those plans.
Parting with Aguilar isn’t an easy decision, though. He’s under contract through next season, a beloved clubhouse presence and, with the DH likely coming to the National League next year, there will probably be room for him and Diaz to coexist in 2022.
For the rest of the year, it’d serve Miami well to get an extended look at Diaz. For next year, the Marlins might be best off having both still in the fold.
“You’re always evaluating for moving forward when you’re watching guys play. Is this the guy? What do you think he’s going to be? Where can he go? How can he develop?” Mattingly said. “Whatever happens at the trade deadline, I don’t know if anything really changes other than there may be some new faces and there may be more opportunities for guys.”
Marlins optimistic on Rogers, Chisholm
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is still on track to return for Miami by Friday and Trevor Rogers may not be out much longer.
Chisholm went on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder injury July 19 and Rogers went on the 10-day IL with lower back muscle spasms Saturday, and it’s a distinct possibility the two MLB Rookie of the Year Award hopefuls may only miss the minimum amount of time.
Chisholm, who sustained a bone bruise in his left shoulder on a diving catch attempt last week, is already in Jupiter to take live batting practice. Rogers, who noticed the stiffness during a bullpen session over the weekend, will throw a bullpen session Wednesday in Baltimore.
Chisholm is eligible to come off the IL on Thursday, but it’s a scheduled off day for the Marlins. As long as batting practice goes well, the middle infielder should be able to return Friday.
“I know that Jazz is doing really well,” Mattingly said. “We’re all pretty hopeful that at the end of his time he’ll be ready to go.”
As for Rogers, Mattingly said the decision to place the All-Star starting pitcher starting pitcher on the IL was was because they “were being pretty cautious with him.” The 23-year-old pitcher is on an innings limit this season, anyway, and could also return as soon as he’s eligible, as long as the bullpen goes well.
Rogers is also eligible to come off the IL on Friday.
“We didn’t feel like that was worth taking a chance,” Mattingly said. “I feel like it’s going to be minimal, but still he has to get through that bullpen. He played catch yesterday at the ballpark, was able to let it go. ... We’re feeling pretty good about where he’s at right this moment. This bullpen will tell us a little bit more and then really the day after is there really any repercussion from that bullpen?”
The rest of Miami’s injured players are not quite as far along in their recoveries.
- Starting pitcher Pablo Lopez will initiate his throwing program and start throwing from flat ground after going on the IL with a right rotator cuff strain July 17.
- Cody Poteet is continuing his throwing program. The starting pitcher has been on the IL since June with a right knee sprain.
- Elieser Hernandez is in Jupiter throwing live batting practice sessions. The pitcher is on the 60-day IL and hasn’t pitched since he strained his right quadriceps in June.
- Slugger Garrett Cooper is still resting and recovering he sprained his left elbow July 18.
- Utility man Jon Berti will resume light activity this week after he sustained a concussion Thursday.
- Outfielder Jesus Sanchez is going through return-to-play protocols. The rookie hasn’t played since the All-Star break after Miami placed him on the COVID-related IL on July 15.
Up next
Jordan Holloway is slated to make his first start since June on Wednesday after three straight solid outings out of the bullpen this month. The pitcher, who has been spent time in the minors and Majors this month, has a 1.38 ERA in 13 innings across three games in July.
He’ll start opposite Orioles pitcher Jorge Lopez at 7:05 p.m. in Maryland.
This story was originally published July 27, 2021 at 6:03 PM.
