Nicolino strong enough he might warrant a return
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Justin Nicolino is running out of chances to prove to the Miami Marlins that he is a legitimate major leaguer, but he is pitching like he wants another. And he just might get it soon.
The left-hander his been effective since his most recent return to Triple-A New Orleans, posting a 1.99 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while holding batters to a .218/.263/.293 slash line in seven starts.
His recent performance, combined with his scheduled minors start Friday, positions him as a primary option for the Marlins, who have yet to announce a starting pitcher for their game Saturday against the Colorado Rockies. Manager Don Mattingly said he expects a roster move to come Friday.
“The reports have been good,” Mattingly said, including Tom Koehler (six innings, one run on Wednesday) with Nicolino. “They’ve pitched well and they’re working hard. There’s no issues.”
The Marlins have seen this before. Nicolino pitches well in Triple A, where he has a career 3.61 EA and 1.30 WHIP, but it doesn’t translate to the majors, where he has a 4.61 ERA and 1.41 WHIP.
And this is Nicolino’s final option year. He has the rest of this season plus spring training to stick in the majors, or else the Marlins would have to cut him — a situation similar to the one Jose Urena, since blossomed, found himself in a year ago.
“The biggest thing is he needs to realize exactly who he is and what his stuff says he is and perfect that,” Mattingly said. “I don’t think we’ll see his velocity tick up to 94, 95 [mph], where he’s going to be a power pitcher. I think Nico, the best chance of him having success is knowing exactly who he is and exactly how he has to pitch to have success with his stuff.”
The Marlins sent Nicolino back to New Orleans in early July, when they opted to give Koehler — also since returned to NOLA — another shot.
Since then, Nicolino has struck out more than three batters for every one he walks (27 to eight), much as he did last year in Triple-A while experiencing limited success in the majors.
But Nicolino’s story is also one of inconsistent opportunity. In the past 13 months, he has had four stays with the Marlins but never taken more than three consecutive turns in the rotation. He pitched mostly out of the bullpen last September, and in two major league stints this year — separated by a trip to the disabled list — he made a combined five starts. He last received an extended shot in the big league rotation in the first half of 2016.
Nicolino hasn’t exactly seized those brief opportunities, either. He has a 5.31 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in six games (five starts) this year, numbers similar to those from that extended shot last year.
The Marlins still hope he can figure it out.
“The one thing guys, especially younger guys, may have trouble getting to and it takes them a little longer, to know exactly how they want to pitch,” Mattingly said. “Is that backward? Is that 50 percent changeups? Is that 60 percent offspeed? All those things are [options].”
Who’s on first?
The Marlins don’t have a starting first baseman, Mattingly said. Tyler Moore got the start Thursday, his second in a row. Prior to that: Tomas Telis, Telis, J.T. Realmuto, Telis, Moore.
“It’s more like first base by committee a little bit,” Mattingly said.
Mattingly noted that playing time could be further muddied when third baseman Martin Prado returns, which would free up Derek Dietrich to play first.
Justin Bour (right oblique strain) has not resumed baseball activities and remains weeks away from a potential return.
Odds & ends
Right-hander Kyle Barraclough (shoulder impingement) pitched an inning for the GCL Marlins on Thursday, his first rehab appearance. He allowed one hit and struck out a batter. … Attention fans of nostalgia: Among the Marlins’ 1990s-themed festivities Sunday at home against the Rockies will be a postgame Salt-N-Pepa concert on the West Plaza. The female rap group is working with Pepsi to promote the temporary return — for the last time, Pepsi says — of Crystal Pepsi this month.