Hatcher 'wasn't expecting' it, but reliever gets callup

MIAMI -- Opportunity knocked once again for Chris Hatcher, and the 29-year-old reliever is as surprised as anybody to be back in the big leagues.

The Marlins on Thursday selected the contract of Hatcher, who before the start of Spring Training was removed from the club's 40-man roster. But the right-hander accepted the opportunity to pitch at Triple-A New Orleans, and he has worked his way back to the big leagues.

"Pretty shocking," Hatcher said. "Wasn't expecting. I was throwing the ball well down there. I'll come up here and try to keep doing it and help the team get some outs."

To make room on the 40-man roster for Hatcher, Rafael Furcal was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Furcal, on the DL since the start of the season, is doing baseball activities at the team's complex in Jupiter, Fla.

Furcal is recovering from a left hamstring strain and a right groin strain. There is no projected return date for the 36-year-old second baseman.

Hatcher, meanwhile, impressed at New Orleans, posting a 2.01 ERA in 22 1/3 innings, with 25 strikeouts and six walks.

The Marlins brought up Hatcher to replace right-hander Anthony DeSclafani, who was optioned to New Orleans, where he will join the rotation.

Hatcher also is battling back from a five-game suspension stemming from an altercation he had with New Orleans teammate Sam Dyson. Hatcher struck Dyson, who sustained a broken jaw.

"I'm not going to get into the specifics of it," Hatcher said. "I've covered it with the media. But I've learned from it. I felt like I've become a better person because of it. Moving forward, I know things like that can't happen, which I knew that before. I put myself in a tough spot professionally and as a person and hope to move forward from it."

The Marlins are looking for strike-throwers in the bullpen, and Hatcher is an option to throw multiple innings. He has 29 games of big league experience in parts of three seasons.