Chen activated, Straily due back Monday
Veterans' returns help solidify rotation; catcher Telis DFA'd
MIAMI -- With one veteran back in the rotation, another is expected to take the mound for the first time on Monday.
The Marlins on Saturday reinstated Wei-Yin Chen from the 10-day disabled list, and the left-hander faced the Rockies in the second of three games at Marlins Park. On Monday, Dan Straily is expected to come off the DL and pitch the series opener against the Phillies.
"You always feel good with Dan," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "The biggest thing is we feel like we've taken our time with him to make sure he's fully ready, instead of him coming back in before he was actually prepared to pitch."
To make room for Chen on the roster, catcher Tomas Telis, who was used primarily in a pinch-hit role, was designated for assignment.
Chen had been on the DL with a left elbow strain, and Straily has been out with a right forearm strain. An official transaction for Straily isn't expected until Monday.
The reshuffling of the rotation will have lefty Caleb Smith, initially scheduled to start on Saturday, taking the mound on Sunday in the series finale with the Rockies.
Straily is lined up for Monday, Jarlin Garcia will start Tuesday and Jose Urena will close out the homestand against the Phillies on Wednesday.
In the restructured rotation, lefty Dillon Peters, for now, is available in long relief. Peters is an important pitching prospect, and eventually he likely will be headed to Triple-A New Orleans to be part of their rotation.
Smith is coming off his best start, allowing two runs in seven innings while striking out 10 and not issuing a walk last Sunday at Milwaukee.
At home, Smith's ERA is 3.48 with 15 strikeouts and four walks in 10 1/3 innings.
"We've been happy with him," Mattingly said. "Obviously, it's been some good, some bad. But we feel he's a guy who has kind of proven himself to this point at Triple-A. He's a guy who deserves an opportunity to see what he's going to be as a starter."
Telis had been the third-string catcher and a pinch-hit option. But he wasn't getting much playing time, batting .207 (6-for-29). John Holaday remains the backup to J.T. Realmuto.
"We wanted a veteran backup. Someone that's more in tune with the pitching part of it," Mattingly said. "Telly is such a good guy. I think there is a future for him. The roster spots got involved with this one. It was a tough one. He never complains, he continues to work, continues to get better. That was a little rough one."
Worth noting
• First baseman Justin Bour was scratched from the lineup on Saturday due to back spasms. He is listed as day to day. Brian Anderson initially was scheduled to be off on Saturday, but with Bour out, he started in right field, while Derek Dietrich started at first base.
• Right-hander Jorge Guzman, the Marlins' No. 3 prospect, made his first start for Class A Advanced Jupiter on Saturday. Guzman was dealing with a sore oblique. In four innings, the hard-throwing right-hander didn't allow a run while striking out seven and scattering two hits with three walks. Guzman's fastball was 98-100 mph on the afternoon.
Guzman was acquired from the Yankees in the Giancarlo Stanton trade.
• Shortstop JT Riddle, on rehab assignment at Double-A Jacksonville, is still considered in the early stages of his recovery. Riddle is on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis.
"If you really look at JT, he's had four rehab games," Mattingly said. "This is Spring Training for him, and this is the very beginning of it. He's been going through this process."