Marlins call up Dyson to add fresh arm to 'pen

WASHINGTON -- The excitement came all at once for Sam Dyson on Wednesday night. As Triple-A New Orleans won a game on a walk-off home run in the 11th inning, Dyson was told that he was being called up to the Marlins.

"I was pretty shocked," Dyson said Thursday. "I was just doing the chart, we're in extra innings, and they told me to come to the clubhouse. I showed up, and as I was walking down, we hit a walk-off. It was pretty exciting both ways."

Dyson joined the Marlins for their series finale against the Nationals after Arquimedes Caminero was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday night. Dyson was 1-3 with a 2.61 ERA in five starts this season for the Zephyrs.

Manager Mike Redmond said that he made the move to put another fresh arm in his bullpen after a 72-minute rain delay on Wednesday night.

"We felt like we want to make sure we're covered out there in the bullpen," Redmond said. "Dyson's here and he gives us kind of that long man we talked about that we didn't have before, a guy that has been starting so he's able to give us multiple innings, which is nice to have."

Dyson was previously in the Blue Jays' organization, where he pitched two-thirds of an inning for the Major League squad last year. The Marlins claimed the 25-year-old off waivers in January and have primarily used him as a starter this season in the Minors. Dyson has worked hard to develop a breaking ball to complement his fastball and changeup.

Dyson didn't expect to be called up until Sunday -- when rosters can expand -- if at all this season. After allowing three runs in two-thirds of an inning during his first stint, he's excited to be back in the Major Leagues -- and have a chance to hopefully lower his 40.50 ERA.

"You can cut it in half pretty quick," Dyson said.