Urena (back) heads to IL; Yamamoto gets call

June 12th, 2019

MIAMI -- Another player acquired from the Brewers in the Christian Yelich trade will be joining the Marlins.

Right-hander , ranked by MLB Pipeline as Miami's No. 17 prospect, will be recalled from Double-A Jacksonville on Wednesday and will start the series finale against the Cardinals at Marlins Park.

For the second straight game, the Marlins will be relying on one of their young pitching prospects because of injury.

Opening Day starter was scheduled to get the nod, but the right-hander will be heading to the injured list with lower back tightness.

“He's been getting a little bit of treatment for it,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said after Tuesday’s 7-1 loss. “So, it's not something that wasn't totally out of the blue. It's not something we really thought was anything. Then after the 'pen, when he comes in today, it was a different thing.”

Urena will join left-hander Caleb Smith (left hip inflammation) on the injured list. Elieser Hernandez started in Smith’s spot on Tuesday, and was charged with three runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Urena was lined up and preparing to go in the series finale, but experienced some discomfort after throwing his between-start bullpen session. His back was acting up on Tuesday, and the training staff informed Mattingly.

“Right before BP, they said, 'We’re going to have to shut Urena down. He's not going to be able to go tomorrow,’" Mattingly said.

Mattingly confirmed Yamamoto will be making his MLB debut in Urena's place.