López on DL, season over

MIAMI — One of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable season, Pablo López is being shut down for the year.

Miami placed the 22-year-old rookie on the 60-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain. With one month left in the year, the move ends his season. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said the injury isn’t considered serious and that placing him on the DL was a precautionary measure.

“When he felt a little something yesterday, we quickly got him to the doctor for an MRI,” Mattingly said. “The news was great for us, because anytime you’re talking about something like that, it can be a scare. We got the news back it was just a strain. It was something we felt we probably could’ve pushed and got him back by the end of the season to pitch a time or two, but it didn’t seem to make much sense for us.

“He’s going to have a full winter workout, throwing program. He’ll be at 100% ready to compete in Spring Training. It was a pretty easy one for us. We’re definitely going to be cautious with Pablo — and any of our guys.”

After beginning the year in Double-A Jacksonville, López was promoted Triple-A New Orleans and was then called up to the majors in June. He made 10 starts for the Marlins, posting a 2-4 record with a 4.14 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.

“It’s not the way anyone would want to end their season,” López said. “But at the same time, the news came out and it’s better than it could’ve been, so that’s something to be very optimistic about. I’m just grateful with the opportunity the Marlins gave me this season. I’m just going to get the rest and come back ready for next season.”

López flashed loads of potential during his MLB debut. In five of his past seven starts, the right-hander allowed two earned runs or fewer. He also pitched at least six innings in seven of his ten starts — and never went fewer than five.

His final outing of the year came last Sunday against the Braves. The rookie pitched 5 2⁄ innings,

3 allowing one earned run on six hits.

“I think there’s room to get better, but there’s nothing not to like with Pablo,” Mattingly said. “We talked about him a lot — I’m very proud of his season and who he is. Moving forward, we know he’s a guy who’s going to be competitive and has a chance to make a lot of noise in the big leagues with his career.

With Lopez heading to the DL, the Marlins have made some tweaks to their starting rotation. Miami will go with a six-man unit for the remainder of the regular season. With MLB teams now allowed to expand their active roster to 40, Sandy Alcantara and Jeff Brigham have been called up from Triple-A New Orleans and will slot in the rotation.

Brigman will make his MLB debut on Sunday afternoon against the Blue Jays. The pitching order will be Brigham, José Ureña, Trevor Richards, Sandy Al can tara, Dan Straily and Wei-Yin Chen.