MIAMI — Miami Marlins southpaw Robby Snelling is scheduled for surgery Friday to fix the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, bringing his rookie campaign to an early close following just a single big league appearance.
The organization’s second-ranked prospect received his call-up from Triple-A Jacksonville this month and took the mound for his major league debut against Washington on May 8, surrendering three runs on five hits and issuing four walks across five innings in a losing effort. Following a bullpen session, he experienced discomfort in his left elbow, and subsequent MRI imaging showed a sprained UCL.
After being examined Thursday in Dallas by Dr. Keith Meister, surgery was recommended, according to the team. Officials said a recovery timetable will be provided after Friday’s procedure.
“Disappointing for him and us,” manager Clayton McCullough said. “That’s an unfortunate part of our industry. Guys go down. We just keep going, and Robby will come back from this a stronger person.”
McCullough indicated the Marlins will experiment with various pitchers to occupy the fifth rotation slot, citing Braxton Garrett, who was sent down to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, and Tyler Phillips, who has surrendered four earned runs while recording 27 strikeouts across 30 relief innings this season.
“We have some others in Jacksonville that have thrown the ball well and (can) potentially get that opportunity,” he said. “We have ways here with the group we have that we can cover those games. So I think that we’ll just continue to kick the tires on what we think is best. And guys will have chances to step into that spot and have a chance to perform here.”
Snelling was transferred to the 60-day injured list as part of several roster adjustments before Thursday’s series conclusion against the Atlanta Braves.
Additionally Thursday, the Marlins obtained outfielder Rece Hinds through a trade with Cincinnati for right-hander Zach McCambley. Hinds was assigned to Triple-A Jacksonville.
Miami also brought up infielder Graham Pauley from Triple-A Jacksonville and put infielder Leo Jiménez on the seven-day concussion injured list.
