Pablo Lopez Joins Shrimp on Rehab Assignment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Miami Marlins announced a series of transactions that impacts their Double-A affiliate Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp roster prior to this afternoon's game against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville at 3:05 p.m.

Miami Marlins right-handed starting pitcher Pablo López has joined the Jumbo Shrimp on a major league rehab assignment, and will start for Jacksonville today against Pensacola. Lopez has been on Miami's injured list since June 19 with a right shoulder strain. Lopez has been a member of Miami's starting rotation this season, going 5-5 with a 4.23 ERA in his 14 starts, with 73 strikeouts in his 76 and two-thirds innings.

"Pablo has three starts coming up with the Shrimp," said Jumbo Shrimp manager Kevin Randel. "He's real familiar with Jacksonville pitching here last year. Great kid, good competitor and can really throw the ball out there. He can locate. He can beat guys with the fastball, curveball, and changeup. Fun to have big league guys in the clubhouse, he's one of the best kids I've been around, he's top notch."  

Lopez, 23, made his major league debut last season for the Marlins, going 2-4 with a 4.14 ERA in 10 starts. For his major league career he is 7-9 with a 4.19 ERA in 24 starts. Lopez began last season with the Jumbo Shrimp, going 1-2 with a 0.62 ERA In his eight starts, allowing only three earned runs in his 43 and two-thirds innings, with 51 strikeouts in that time. For his strong work in Jacksonville's rotation he was named a 2018 Southern League Midseason All-Star.

Lopez, a native of Cabimas, Venezuela, was originally signed by the Seattle Mariners in 2012, and was traded from the Mariners to the Marlins on July 20, 2017 along with right-handed pitchers Brandon Miller and Lukas Schiraldi, and Bryan Hernandez in exchange with right-handed pitcher David Phelps.

Additionally, right-handed relief pitcher Tyler Stevens has been transferred from Jacksonville to Triple-A New Orleans. Stevens has pitched in 27 games in relief, going 3-1 with a 2.29 ERA with a pair of saves and 45 strikeouts in 39 and a third innings of work.

In a corresponding move, left-handed pitcher Jordan Guerrero has been signed by the Marlins as a minor league free agent and assigned to Jacksonville. Guerrero previously pitched in the Chicago White Sox organization and in 2019 with Triple-A Charlotte went 3-7 with a 7.27 ERA in 20 appearances and 12 starts. Guerrero was originally selected by the White Sox in the 15th round of the 2012 draft out of Moorpark High School in Moorpark, California. He spent parts of three seasons pitching for in the Southern League for the Birmingham Barons, where he was a 2017 Southern League Midseason All-Star.

Additionally, infielder Billy Fleming has been transferred from Jacksonville to Triple-A New Orleans. Fleming has played in 18 games for the Jumbo Shrimp, hitting .344 with two home runs and eight runs batted in. Fleming previously played with the Baby Cakes this year, hitting .235 with a home run and eight runs batted in.

The Jumbo Shrimp roster stands at 24 active players, plus Lopez on his major league rehab assignment, and a revised roster is attached.

Jacksonville hosts Pensacola at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday. Coverage begins at 2:50 p.m. on MiLB.tv, Sunny 102.3 FM, TuneIn and jaxshrimp.com.

Meet Star Wars characters, provided by WasabiCon and the 501st Legion, in person at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Star Wars Day presented by Bowden Eye. On a Baptist Health Sunday Family FUNday, families are welcome to play catch on the field before the game, plus Jumbo Shrimp players will be signing autographs. Each Sunday also features free face painting, balloon animals and popular kids show and movie characters roaming the park. Following the game, kids 12 and under can run the bases. In addition, every Sunday, 24 oz. Corona cans will be available for $5.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League's Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.