Miami Marlins call up one of their top prospects. And Segura, Cabrera to injured list
The Miami Marlins have called up one of their top prospects and sent two starters to the injured list.
Middle infielder Jacob Amaya, the team’s ninth-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, has joined the team in Washington ahead of its game against the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
The Marlins placed third baseman Jean Segura on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain to make a corresponding move to add Amaya to the active roster. The team also placed right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder impingement and recalled right-handed relief pitcher Huascar Brazoban.
For Amaya, he will make his MLB debut whenever he appears in a game. He was not in the starting lineup on Saturday.
Amaya, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jan. 11 for veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas, has been one of the Marlins’ more consistent bats in the minor leagues this season. In 58 games with Triple A Jacksonville, Amaya hit .278 with a .818 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, nine home runs, 10 doubles, two triples, 35 RBI and 33 runs scored.
That is in addition to his strong defense, which manager Skip Schumaker said during spring training was already big-league ready.
Schumaker said Joey Wendle will receive the bulk of the starts at shortstop and Jon Berti will be the team’s primary third baseman while Segura is on the injured list. Amaya will be a defensive replacement and spot starter against tough left-handed pitching
Miami has been platooning left-handed-hitting Wendle and right-handed-hitting Berti at shortstop all season.
Amaya’s MLB Pipeline scouting report, which proffers that he “could be Miami’s shortstop of the very near future and for the long term,” is as follows:
“Amaya is most effective when he employs a controlled right-handed stroke and concentrates on getting base. He got stronger during the pandemic layoff, but his newfound power can get him into trouble when he starts hunting home runs and chasing pitches. He settled down more in 2022 and projects as a .250 hitter with 12-15 homers per season and plenty of walks.
That type of production would be more than enough to make Amaya a big league regular at shortstop, because he’s a quality defender. Not only does he have quick, reliable hands and a strong, accurate arm, but his high baseball IQ and nonstop energy allow him to get the most out of his physical tools. He also is an asset at second and third base and would be a useful utility man if he doesn’t hit enough to play regularly.”
Amaya was originally an 11th-round pick by the Dodgers out of West Covina (Calif.) South Hills High.
Edward Cabrera update
As for Cabrera, Schumaker said he started feeling the shoulder issue after his most recent start on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners and felt it again during his bullpen session on Friday.
The Marlins decided to be cautious and place him on the injured list.
“You’ve got to protect the player,” Schumaker said. “We’re hoping it’s just only two starts. I don’t think he’s going to miss a bullpen.”
As for who will replace Cabrera in the rotation, that’s to be determined at this moment. Cabrera was next slated to pitch on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays to open the Marlins’ week-long homestand.
Miami’s internal options are thin. Trevor Rogers and Johnny Cueto are still on the injured list and Miami doesn’t have any other MLB-ready starting pitching on its 40-man roster.
Depending on the state of the bullpen after the Nationals series, they could go with a bullpen game on Monday, with the likes of Bryan Hoeing, Archie Bradley and Brazoban going multiple innings.
Or they could add a pitcher to the 40-man roster for a spot start.
This story was originally published June 17, 2023 at 12:47 PM.
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