Shoulder strain ends Lopez's season

MIAMI -- Outfielder Lewis Brinson and infielder Martín Prado came off the disabled list on Saturday. That was the good news. The not-so-good news is that right-handed pitcher Pablo López has been put on the 60-day DL with a right shoulder strain and his season is done. In a corresponding move, the Marlins called up right-handed pitcher Jeff Brigham, who will get his first start on Sunday.
Brinson and Prado were both reinstated from the 10-day DL. In addition, the Marlins called up right-handed pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Nick Wittgren, as well as catcher Chad Wallach, from Triple-A New Orleans. That was the first of what Marlins manager Don Mattingly anticipates being a wave of callups during the final month of the season.
Brinson said that he is coming back a different player.
"First year in the big leagues, you want to impress, and I put a little too much pressure on myself. That's behind me now," Brinson said. "I'm hoping to finish the season strong, just play my game the way I know how, go out there and have fun and everything else will take care of itself."
Lopez said he felt something during long toss on Friday prior to his bullpen session.
"I felt something unusual," said Lopez, who decided to stop and have the shoulder checked out.
An MRI revealed just a strain and nothing more serious.
"It should be fine," said Lopez. "I'm looking forward to next season. It's not the way anyone wants to end their season, but at the same time the news was better than it could have been. So I'll get rest and try to come back ready for next season."
Mattingly said that Lopez is expected to rest the shoulder and then begin a full winter workout and throwing program in preparation for Spring Training.
Lopez made 10 starts in his rookie season, compiling a 2-4 record and a 4.14 ERA.
"I'm very proud of his season," Mattingly said. "Moving forward we think he's a guy that's going to be very competitive and has a chance to make a lot of noise in the big leagues in his career."
Brigham, who was acquired by the Marlins in a trade with the Dodgers back in 2015, gets his first Major League start on Sunday in the finale of the three-game series with Toronto. He is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Marlins' No. 20 prospect.
Mattingly said that Brigham would become part of a six-man rotation over the final month of the season.
"We'll give [José Ureña and Trevor Richards] the extra day and just go on from there," said Mattingly. "We'll get a chance to see him four or five times before the end of the year."
Brigham is a power pitcher with a slider.
"The development of the third pitch is probably going to be the separator," said Mattingly. "I didn't see him in spring, just saw reports, so I'm looking forward to seeing him [pitch]."
Alcantara will also slot into the starting rotation as well and pitch the final game of the Phillies series on Wednesday at Marlins Park. Beginning Sunday, the rotation follows with Brigham, Urena, Richards, Alcantara and Dan Straily in order.