Former All-Star Locke DFA'd by Marlins
This browser does not support the video element.
ST. LOUIS -- The Marlins are searching yet again for a starting pitcher. Jeff Locke, tagged for 11 runs in 2 2/3 innings in a 14-6 loss to the Cardinals on Monday, was designated for assignment on Tuesday.
The left-hander, who signed for $3.025 million in December, was 0-5 with an 8.16 ERA in seven starts. Reliever Drew Steckenrider was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans.
"I think it was just time in our situation to continue to explore options," manager Don Mattingly said. "I think our situation needs to be exploration of moving forward and looking to the future a little bit. That's part of this."
Locke's rotation spot comes up on Saturday at San Francisco.
This browser does not support the video element.
Mattingly said the club will not go with a bullpen by committee start that day; instead, they will add someone with big league starting experience.
"We'll bring in an actual starter," Mattingly said. "Obviously, the next few days could dictate exactly what we do."
Locke missed the first two months due to left shoulder tendinitis, and made his first start June 1, allowing one earned run in 5 2/3 innings against the D-backs. He wasn't involved in the decision, and that turned into his finest outing with the club.
Miami has 10 days to trade Locke, and he likely will clear waivers, because if he doesn't, the club claiming him would have to pick up the remaining portion of his contract. Locke could still clear waivers and accept the assignment and go to Triple-A New Orleans.
An All-Star with the Pirates in 2013, Locke had a rough time Monday. The Cardinals scored four runs in the first inning, and seven more in the third.
The 11 earned runs matches a franchise record by a Marlins pitcher. Ricky Nolasco, on Aug. 11, 2011, at Colorado.
"Right from the get-go, they did all the damage they really needed to do in the first inning," Locke said Monday night. "I had a quick second. I couldn't get out of the third, everything you guys saw, I saw, too. There's no rhyme or reason or answer I can give you that you guys probably couldn't solve."