Does Riddle’s emergence mean Hechavarria is expendable?

MIAMI — With the sub-.500 Miami Marlins lagging more than 10 games out of the wild-card chase, the rumor mill is beginning to spin indications the team will be sellers before the trade deadline.

But the hottest rumor has more to do with the emergence of JT Riddle at shortstop than the Marlins’ place in the standings.

With Adeiny Hechavarria getting close to returning from the disabled list after recovering from an oblique strain, there were multiple reports Thursday that the Marlins are talking to teams about trading the slick-fielding veteran. The Orioles and Rays are among possible landing spots.

The Orioles make sense with regular shortstop J.J. Hardy out for four to six weeks with a broken bone in his right wrist. Hechavarria would give them an elite fielder who has been a Gold Glove finalist but hasn’t emerged as an offensive force in his five seasons in Miami.

Riddle makes sense for the Marlins as he has shown some pop with three home runs and 23 RBI in 47 games (prior to Thursday) since getting an earlier than expected call-up in the injury absence of Hechavarria and Miguel Rojas.

“That’s been a pleasant surprise for us is the way JT has played. He’s been consistent at short, given us some good at-bats and shown really good game awareness,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said while dodging a question about the trade rumors.

Riddle and Rojas provide much cheaper alternatives at shortstop in the near term. Hechavarria is earning $4.35 million this season and will be in his final year of arbitration next year before being eligible for free agency after 2018.

The Marlins picked Riddle in the 13th round of the 2013 draft out of the University of Kentucky. He made rapid strides in the past year and impressed this spring in big league camp.

“I think originally you looked at this as just a time for him where he gets a chance to come up and get a lot of experience while Hech has been down and [Rojas] has been down,” Mattingly said. “So just leave it at that: He’s been very good and it’s been good for him. He’s been good for us.”

After starting 2-for-21 (.095) with the Marlins, Riddle settled in, slashing .302/.319/.492 in May with 13 RBI. He tailed off this month, entering Thursday’s game in a 6-for-37 (.162) funk.

Nonetheless, Riddle’s offensive production has opened eyes, considering he was viewed as more adept with the glove. He was hitting .265 (9-for-34) with runners in scoring position, fourth among National League rookies with 30 or more at-bats.

“To be honest, I think my fielding has been a little down. I don’t think I’d make quite that many errors,” said Riddle, who had seven miscues.

The unexpected chance to play regularly in the majors has enabled him to slow the game down and build his confidence while gaining the trust of Marlins staff and teammates.

“You never hope for injuries or anybody to get traded for you to be able to get your chance. But it’s part of the game; a couple of guys got hurt and I got my chance. When you get the opportunity you want to make the most of it,” said Riddle, clearly uncomfortable by mention of the Hechavarria trade rumors.

“Adeiny is a heck of a player and a great teammate. Whatever happens, happens. … I just want to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Meanwhile, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweeted that the Marlins are open to trade offers for relievers A.J. Ramos, David Phelps and possibly Kyle Barraclough. Look for more names to surface in the next six weeks.

Ziegler on DL

Struggling reliever Brad

Ziegler was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right back strain. He was due to have an MRI on Thursday, Mattingly said.

Junichi Tazawa was reinstated after recovering from rib inflammation.

Ziegler, who has had a lengthy successful career using a submarine delivery, hasn’t been able to produce expected results since signing with the Marlins in the offseason.

He has an ERA of 11.02 in May and June. Mattingly said the back trouble may have been a contributing factor.

“It’s always a problem if your back’s hurting. But with that delivery that could be an issue,” Mattingly said.

The Marlins are hopeful that better health can help Tazawa, out since May 17, improve on his 6.60 ERA.

Hechavarria