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Qualls rejoins Marlins after birth of son

MILWAUKEE -- The Marlins' bullpen welcomed back right-hander Chad Qualls on Friday, four days after his wife gave birth to a baby boy.

The 34-year-old was placed on baseball's paternity list on July 13 and reinstated in time for the series opener at Milwaukee.

Cavin Chance Qualls was born on Monday.

The timing of the birth, which was during the All-Star Break, meant Qualls missed only two games -- Saturday and Sunday against the Nationals.

Qualls has been one of the Marlins' steadiest relievers, sporting a 2.89 ERA in 37 1/3 innings with 28 strikeouts.

Signed as a non-roster invitee in Spring Training, Qualls has been a reliable veteran on a youthful roster. He's also been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks.

If he is moved by the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, it won't be the first time.

A year ago, about five minutes before the deadline, he was sent from the Yankees to the Pirates. And in 2010, he also was dealt on July 31 from Arizona to Tampa Bay.

"Anything can happen," Qualls said. "If you've been around this game long enough, nothing surprises you. You take everything with a grain of salt and keep on moving on."

Qualls understands he could be on the move again, but he added he would like to remain in Miami.

"They have a really good chance to be good the next couple of years," Qualls said. "They've got a lot of pieces in this room right here. It's going to be fun to watch, whether I'm here or not.

"They only need a few extra pieces brought in, and they could be a really good ballclub. I'd like to be part of it, but like I said, who knows?"

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter Read More: Miami Marlins, Chad Qualls