Left-hander Smith likely done for year with shoulder injury
MIAMI — It looks like the Marlins have lost their most consistent starting pitcher for the rest of the season.
Caleb Smith, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list after exiting early from Sunday’s start in Colorado, underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed a Grade 3 lat strain in his left (pitching) shoulder.
While no immediate time table was known, the recovery period for that extent of a strain can typically take months, which would keep Smith out for the remainder of the season.
Smith exited Sunday’s start in Colorado in the second inning after 31 pitches when he experienced tightness in the shoulder.
“It’s definitely worse than I thought,” Smith said. “I thought it was going to be like a pulled muscle or something. I didn’t think it was going to be torn off the bone. It’s definitely unexpected for me.”
Smith said he’s still considering having surgery, seeing the recovery period figures to be too long for a possible return this season. Plus, he said he wouldn’t want to risk the injury not healing properly.
“I can either have surgery or give it time and let it heal itself,” Smith said. “Either way, I think I’m out for the season. I don’t think there is anything I could have done to avoid it. I’ve done the same routine I do. I’ve done that for my whole career, pretty much. I don’t think there was anything I could have done differently.”
The injury curtails what’s been a positive first season with the Marlins for Smith, who leads all major league rookie pitchers with 88 strikeouts.
Smith has been the Marlins’ most consistent starter this year, going 5-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 16 starts.
“I saw him before (Monday’s) game and obviously he was pretty down about something like that,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “We know it’s going to take some time. It won’t be overnight, 10 days or something like that. It’s a tough one to swallow with a guy that’s been showing so much promise for us this year.”
The Marlins acquired Smith, 26, in a trade last November with the Yankees along with outfielder/infielder Garrett Cooper for minor leaguer Mike King and international bonus slot money.
Smith’s injury coupled with Jose Urena’s right shoulder impingement (already on the DL), and Dan Straily decision to drop his appeal of a fivegame suspension could leave the Marlins short three starters in their rotation in the coming days.
Straily shook off a slow start Monday night and came through for the Marlins on the mound and at the plate in a 9-5 comeback win over the Diamondbacks.
After surrendering three runs over the first two innings, Straily settled in and gave up only one hit over the next four-plus innings and pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing four hits overall with six strikeouts and no walks.
Straily also hit his second career double and his second hit of the season in the third inning, which started the Marlins’ comeback from a 3-1 deficit. H e also drew a key walk in fourth during the Marlins’ three-run inning.
Meanwhile, the Marlins recalled right-hander Ben Meyer from Triple-A New Orleans on Monday. Meyer pitched out of the bullpen during his first stint with the Marlins earlier this month, but Mattingly indicated he could start.