MIAMI -- Caleb Smith (left hip inflammation) struck out eight in five innings and ran his pitch count up to 83 on Sunday in a rehab assignment start for Double-A Jacksonville. Pablo López (right shoulder strain) started his throwing progression on Monday. And José Ureña (herniated disc) is expected to return to the Marlins' rotation in August, around the time he is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list.

As the three remain on the mend, Miami's current rotation features three right-handers that opened the season at Triple-A New Orleans, along with All-Star Sandy Alcantara and sophomore big leaguer Trevor Richards.

When everyone is healthy, the Marlins will have some tough decisions to make regarding the rotation, the strength of their team and the organization overall. Thus far, they’ve used eight starters and have not experienced any significant drop-off in production.

Miami’s starters rank eighth in the Major Leagues in ERA (3.91) and 10th in innings pitched (462 1/3).

The quality of talent and depth the front office has amassed in recent years has put the Marlins in an envious position. But it’s also created a potential logjam, because Smith has cleared two rehab assignment hurdles, and his next appearance is expected to be in the big leagues. It could be this weekend at Atlanta or after the All-Star break.

“We’ve already been talking about how we want to go,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Six-man is not really [an option].”

Rookies Jordan Yamamoto, Zac Gallen and Elieser Hernandez have each performed, but one of them may be heading back to Triple-A or to the bullpen to make room for Smith.

“It’s just a credit to the depth we’ve been able to accumulate,” president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “They’re good problems to have, and we’ll work through it when the time comes necessary.”

Another factor is the July 31 Trade Deadline. The Marlins are open to moving at least one of their surplus starters for middle of the order-caliber hitters.

“It will be an interesting Deadline,” Hill said. “It’s already started. You talk to your peers every day about their needs. And the one thing that we always know this time of year, at the Trade Deadline, there is always a need for starting pitching and bullpen help.”

MLB.com breaks down who may be moved, who could stay and who might slide into the bullpen.

Trade candidates
Smith has been mentioned in trade rumors since he got off to a hot start. The left-hander is 3-4 with a 3.41 ERA and has a 1.02 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 66 innings. However, Smith has five years of club control before qualifying for free agency, along with an injury history. Last year, he made just 16 starts and had season-ending left lat surgery. And Smith has been on the injured list this year since June 7.

Perhaps more than Smith, Richards could be the one on the move. The 26-year-old has thrown better than his 3-9 record and 4.02 ERA would indicate. Richards also has five years of club control left, and several scouts from contending clubs have recently been in attendance for his starts.

Likely to stay
Alcantara, the fifth rookie in franchise history to be selected to the All-Star Game, is being groomed as a top-of-the-rotation starter. Gallen and Yamamoto appear to be the likely choices to stick around. The same holds true for Lopez when he is ready to return later in the season.

Bullpen options
If not optioned, Hernandez may be used in a long-relief/spot-start role. The 24-year-old has big league bullpen experience, making one appearance this season to go with four starts. In 2018, the right-hander made six starts for Miami and was used in relief 26 times. The question with Hernandez would be if the organization wanted him to return to Triple-A to stay in a more consistent routine.

Another potential reliever choice is Urena. Miami’s Opening Day starter went on the injured list on June 11 and was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 14. Before the injury, Urena was a likely trade candidate. If he is dealt, it appears it will be after the season. The Marlins first need to get Urena back, and then they can figure out his role, which could be anywhere from opener to long reliever to closer.