Marlins release veteran infielder Baker
In other moves, Urena called up for start; Solano reinstated
MIAMI -- The Marlins released backup first baseman Jeff Baker prior to Friday's series opener against San Diego. In other roster moves, right-hander Jose Urena was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to start Saturday's contest, and infielder Donovan Solano was reinstated from the paternity list.
The 34-year-old Baker was still on the 15-day disabled list as of Friday. He was on the DL retroactive to July 8 with what was originally thought to be a strained oblique, but X-rays on Tuesday revealed he has a broken rib.
The 11-year Major League veteran was hitting .208 with three homers through 41 games before sustaining his injury.
"Baker did a great job for us when healthy and batting against left-handed pitchers," said Michael Hill, president of baseball operations. "Unfortunately, he's an impending free agent, and we probably weren't going to see much playing time for him the rest of the year."
Baker joined the Marlins prior to the 2014 campaign and hit .264 in 90 games last season. He estimated that he'll need at least another month to recover from the rib injury.
"I need to get healthy and move forward," Baker said.
"The business side of it, I don't really want to get into [that]," he added. "But the good thing for me was the relationships I got to build with these guys and help mold some of these younger players."
Urena is taking the rotation spot of Mat Latos, who was traded to the Dodgers on Thursday. This will the rookie's third stint with Miami this season. Prior to being optioned to New Orleans on July 2, he went 1-4 with a 4.04 ERA in nine appearances (seven starts).