Narveson pitches well despite developing blister

ATLANTA -- The September call-up period is coming just in time for the Marlins, who are running out of healthy starting pitching options. The rotation suffered another setback in Monday's 4-0 win over the Braves at Turner Field when Chris Narveson was replaced after 5 1/3 innings due to a blister to his left middle finger.

Narveson recently became the 13th different starter for Miami, which matches a franchise most for a season. The 33-year-old limited the Braves to two hits and no runs before he exited after 90 pitches and a win.

The damper in the outing was the fact Narveson felt a bister develop in the third inning, and it eventually popped in the sixth.

"It popped up in the third, but luckily, it didn't pop until the sixth," the lefty said. "It kind of stinks to come out early, but I'm happy the team got a win."

Despite the discomfort, Narveson doesn't believe the issue is a serious one.

The veteran was moving along nicely until the finger acted up. With one out in the sixth inning, Pedro Ciriaco swatted a broken-bat single to center. On the pitch, an 84 mph two-seam fastball, Narveson winched.

Video: MIA@ATL: Narveson leaves game in the 6th with injury

Immediately, catcher J.T. Realmuto headed to the mound followed by pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and trainer Sean Cunningham. Upon seeing Narveson's finger, the Marlins immediately made a pitching change, calling in Kyle Barraclough.

Narveson, making his second start, hadn't thrown as many as 5 1/3 innings in the big leagues since he was with the Brewers in 2011.

The blister was a product, Narveson said, of trimming his nail too closely after his last outing.

"I cut down my nail pretty low after the last time," he said. "I probably shouldn't have cut it that low. It's a little product of that. I don't think it will be an issue in the future. It kind of stinks that it happened. It was a humid night. So it kind of popped up."

Before coming out, Narveson was able to keep the Braves scoreless on a night Atlanta starter Shelby Miller allowed one run in seven innings, and ran his winless streak to 19 games, or since he held the Marlins without a hit for 8 2/3 innings in Miami on May 17.

"Shelby is a great pitcher," Narveson said. "He's having tough luck. You kind of feel for him on that end for the strings of starts that he's had."

Miami is running thin on available starters.

The club currently has four starters on the disabled list -- Jose Fernandez (right biceps strain), Jarred Cosart (vertigo), Jose Urena (left knee contusion) and Henderson Alvarez, who is done for the season after undergoing right shoulder surgery.

Cosart and Urena are close to returning to the big leagues, and are options to step in for Narveson.