Club honoring troops with activities through July 4
TheMarlins will salute military personnel past and present during a patriotic-themed celebration beginning today and continuing through July 4 atMarlins Park.
Activities culminate Wednesday when the Marlins will host approximately 35 World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War veterans at the ballpark for an Honor Flight reception.
South Florida Honor Flight is an organization whose mission is to transport veterans toWashington to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices. The veterans and their families will enjoy brunch in the DEX Diamond Club Lounge before being escorted to the field for a pregame ceremony.
Also on Wednesday, the Marlins will donate $10,000 to Honor Flight to help transport America’s veterans to the nation’s capital. A re-enlistment ceremony of Army Sgt. Ashley Mitchell will be before the game.
Beginning today, a member of each branch of the military will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before each game. They are FN Derrick Knox, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami; Staff Sgt. Peter Wright, U.S. Southern Command; Retired U.S. Army Colonel Steve Williamson; SN Mary White, U.S. Coast Guard Base Miami Beach; and the Miami U.S. Navy District.
The other military-themed events are:
Monday: TheMarlins will present a $10,000 check to United Way — Mission United, which helps ease the transition to civilian life and addresses the unique needs of veterans.
United States Army Sgt. Jose Blandon will be recognized for his service during the game as the TIKD Salute & Serve Monday Military honoree.
Tuesday: Marlins players will visit the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Miami to deliver lunch and visit with veterans.
The Yuengling Lager for Heroes honoree, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jessica Tabbert, will be recognized during the game.
Lopez to get first major league start
One look into the future wasn’t enough for the Miami Marlins. They get a second shot at it tonight.
One night after top pitching prospect Sandy Alcantara made his first major league start against the Mets on Friday night, 22-year-old right-hander Pablo Lopez will make his major league debut. The team has not announced a corresponding roster move.
Lopez has been dominant in the minors this season, and didn’t allow a run in his first 22 innings at Double-A Jacksonville. He had a combined 1.44 ERA between Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans.
“It’s still very unreal,” Lopez said. “It still doesn’t feel real that I’m right here with this field, with these teammates, this scenario. It’s still very overwhelming, but still very exciting aswell.”
The Marlins traded for Lopez last season in the deal that sent right-handed reliever David Phelps to Seattle.
Lopez has been a fast riser in the Marlins system. He started by impressing in
spring training with eight strikeouts in just 4 1⁄
3 innings while only allowing two hits and onewalk. Eight sparkling starts in Jacksonville (0.69 ERA and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings) earned a promotion toNew Orleans.
How long Lopez stays in the majors is unknown. Dan Straily’s five-game suspension ends today. Jose Ureña (right shoulder impingement) could return to the moundMonday.
Smith opts for surgery
Injured Marlins left-hander Caleb Smith elected to have surgery to correct a Grade 3 lat strain, officially ending his 2018 season. Smith will have surgery in Philadelphia on July 9.
Smith suffered the injury Sunday in Colorado, exiting the game after just 1 1⁄ innings. He had a
3 MRI onMonday afternoon which revealed his muscle tore off his bone. Smith could have chosen to have the injury heal by itself, but he likely would have been done until spring training. Instead, he elected to have surgery.
Smith was one of the biggest surprises of the season for the Marlins, posting a 4.19 ERA in 77 1⁄ innings across 16 starts. The
3 ERAwas the lowestamongMiami starting pitchers. Among pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched, Smith ranked17th in baseball with 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
■ Garrett Cooper (right wrist contusion) is eight games into his rehabilitation assignment andwas slated to play nine innings in left field for Triple-A New Orleans on Friday night.
■ Infielder Martin Prado (left hamstring strain) has played two games at third base for High-A Jupiter in his rehab assignment and was scheduled to play five innings there Friday night.