Nicolino’s return to majors impresses
Pitcher, called up from New Orleans, fills in for injured Chen.
MIAMI — Justin Nicolino’s locker was empty.
Or at least emptier than most of his teammates’.
Nicolino was called up by the Marlins to start Sunday in place of injured Wei-Yin Chen. It was his first MLB action of 2017. And he delivered.
“He just pitched well,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said after the Marlins’ 3-1 win over the Braves. “He changed speeds. That’s what he does.”
Ni c o l i n o went s i x i n n i n g s , allowed six hits and one earned run, and struck out five on 79 pitches. He said his path to success started in the first inning. Facing a bases-loaded situation, he induced a ground ball back to himself, which he threw home to catcher A. J. Ellis, who threw it to first baseman Justin Bour for a double play to end the inning.
“That just kind of set the tone,” he said.
Nicolino has been playing for New Orleans, Miami’s Triple-A affiliate. He posted a 1-3 record and a 4.46 ERA in seven starts before his call-up.
Nicolino spent parts of 2015 and 2016 in the Marlins’ rotation as well as working out of the bullpen toward the end of 2016. The lefthander entered Sunday’s game Astros RHP Joe Musgrove (2-3, 5.02) vs. Marlins RHP Dan Straily (1-3, 4.03), 7:10 p.m. Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel (6-0, 1.69) vs. Marlins RHP Tom Koehler (1-1, 5.60), 7:10 p.m. Astros RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (3-1, 2.98) vs. Marlins RHP Jose Urena (1-1, 1.98), 12:10 p.m.
with an 8-10 record and 4.52 ERA in his major league career.
Chen update: Before Sunday’s game, Chen had his arm wrapped
up so thickly that his elbow resembled a large roll of toilet paper. And for good reason.
Thanks t o t hat a r m i nj ur y, Chen’s status with the Marlins is still unclear, even to Chen himself.
He said he attempted a bullpen session Saturday, but felt pain and had to stop. He added that he saw a doctor, who told him to take Sunday off and re-evaluate today.
“He gave me a couple choices,” Chen said through an interpreter, “but I think it’s the best choice.”
Chen’s troubles started on May 1 when, after making his fifth start of the season, he complained of discomfort in his throwing arm. The Marlins placed him on the disabled list with “left arm fatigue.”
Mattingly didn’t think it was too serious. An MRI at the time of Chen’s initial injury didn’t reveal anything worrisome. But now the concern is growing.
C h e n s a i d h e h a s n’ t h a d a detailed discussion of his options with doctors yet, but he added that regardless of what they say, he may seek a second opinion. For now, he said the next step is likely another MRI, this time possibly after having dye injected into his elbow to make the image more detailed.
“I think I have to get an MRI and then talk with the doctor and see what he thinks and then decide what I’m gonna do,” Chen said.
A first in Saturday’s loss: Justin Bour hadn’t homered off a lefthander in 123 major league at-bats.
That changed on Saturday in Miami’s 3-1 loss to Atlanta, when Bour rocketed an Eric O’Flaherty pitch into the right field bleachers.
On Sunday, he went 0-for-4.