Slowey moving to long relief with Eovaldi's return

PHOENIX -- With Nathan Eovaldi set to enter the Marlins' rotation and make his season debut Tuesday, Marlins manager Mike Redmond announced Monday that Kevin Slowey will move to the bullpen and serve as the club's long-reliever.

"I just think Slowey has pitched in that role before and he's better equipped to handle it," Redmond said. "So that'll be how it goes now for a while. It doesn't mean it's going to stay like that."

Of Slowey's 14 appearances this season, 13 of them have been starts. The right-hander has struggled of late, allowing at least four earned runs in five of his last seven outings.

"I talked to him, he's fine," Redmond said. "He's a professional. I was very honest with him and told him exactly what we needed. He's on board to do whatever we need him to do. He understands the situation."

Tom Koehler (0-5, 5.09 ERA) was another candidate to be replaced in the starting rotation, but the Marlins decided to keep the rookie in place.

"I think it's good experience for him," Redmond said. "It's good for him to stay in the rotation and get in as many innings as possible."