Another Marlins pitcher has joined the DL. Matt Mantei sprained his ankle in a loss to San Diego. Rafael Medina was reactivated of the DL to take his spot.

The Marlins have placed Craig Counsell on the DL and called up Luis Castillo to take his spot on the Roster. Counsell was hit by a pitch and broke his jaw. Castillo was the starting second baseman last season, but lost his job due to inconsistency and the need to continue development in the minors. Castillo‘s main asset is his speed.

7/31/98 — In a last minute trade, the Marlins filled the open gap in third base by acquiring Kevin Orrie from the Chicago Cubs for reliever Felix Heredia. The Marlins also receive minor league pitchers Todd Noel and Justin Speier, while the Cubs receive minor league pitcher Steve Hoff. Orie was the Cubs’ starting third baseman last year, but has struggled so far this year. Speier joins the Marlins bullpen, taking Heredia’s spot.

Florida Marlins trade third baseman Todd Zeile to the Texas Rangers for to Class A ballplayers. The first prospect is Jose Santo, a 20-year-old third baseman, who hit .299 with 21 HR and 90 RBI at Class A Savannah, ranking third in the league in homers. The other is Dan DeYoung was 13-4, 4.02 at Class A Charlotte, leading the Florida State League in wins.

Brian Meadows joined fellow Marlins starters Rafael Medina, Joe Fontenot, and Eric Ludwick on the disabled list. Meadows strained his groin muscle during a horrible outing Monday in Houston. Meadows allowed 5 runs in the first inning and never seemed to settle in. Livan Hernandez is the only Marlins who was on the opening week rotation to still pitch. Jesus Sanchez, who joined the rotation two weeks into the season, along with Livan are the only starters who are not demoted or injured.

Following successful starts in Philadelphia, Jim Leyland has moved Kirt Ojala and recently promoted Andy Larkin, back into the starting rotation. Ryan Dempster moved into the bullpen and Eric Ludwick returned to the DL. The other pitchers in the rotation will move up one day. In Houston, Brian Meadows will pitch on Monday, Ojala on Tuesday, Larkin on Wednesday, and Livan Hernandez on Thursday.

7/19/98 — Rob Stanifer allowed 3 runs in the top of the 12th and a Marlins’ rally fell just short, as the Cubs beat the Marlins 7-6. Of concern to the Marlins is the injury to Eric Ludwick who has already spent 2 stints on the DL.

Marlins end a 3-game losing streak by outpitching the Cubs in a 2-1 victory. Brian Meadows won his NL Rookie leading 9 game. The bullpen struck out all 6 men it faced. Todd Dunwoody scored the first Marlin run only to see a Henry Rodriguez home run tie the game. But a Todd Zeile solo home run over the scoreboard in left gave the Marlins the lead they needed. 32,000 watched and cheered as Matt Mantei struck out 4 to earn the save.

After a 2-hour rain delay, the Marlins and starter Eric Ludwick jumped to a 7-1 lead over the Expos only to allow the Expos to tie the game in the top of the ninth. But Edgar Renteria took a risk by trying to reach third on an infield ground ball. Brad Fulmer’s throw ended up in the dugout, allowing Renteria to score the game winning run. Marlins 8 – Expos 7.