SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Furcal Returns to Suns on MLB Rehab Assignment

Published on May 2, 2014 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


PEARL, Miss. - The Miami Marlins announced a pair of transactions that impact their Double-A affiliate Jacksonville Suns roster prior to tonight's game against the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park at 8 p.m.

Miami Marlins second baseman Rafael Furcal returns to the Suns on a major league rehab assignment, beginning tonight in Mississippi.

Furcal is recovering from a left hamstring strain that he suffered during spring training with the Marlins, as well as a tight groin that he suffered last week with the Suns. Furcal played in four games with Jacksonville, hitting .267 (4-for-15) with two doubles and a run scored. He left the April 25th game with tightness in his right groin, and hasn't appeared in a game since.

This is the first year in the Marlins organization for Furcal, who is a 13-year major league veteran. He is a career .281 hitter with 113 homers and 585 RBI in the big leagues. Furcal is a three-time National League All-Star (2003, 2010, 2012), and was the starting shortstop for the 2011 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. For the Cardinals that postseason he tallied hits in 13 of 18 games as he collected his first World Series champion ring. Out of 14 major league seasons, Furcal's teams have made the playoffs 12 times.

Furcal missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, performed on March 15, 2013 by Dr. James Andrews, and he also had bone spur removed during his last year with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Marlins signed him as a free agent last December, and he will likely be Miami's starting second baseman when his rehab assignment is complete.

Furcal is a former Southern Leaguer, although he only played in three games with the Greenville Braves in 2000, the same year he was named the National League Rookie of the Year after leading all NL rookies in runs (87), walks (73), stolen bases (40), and on-base percentage (.384). Furcal was with the Atlanta Braves from 2000-2005, the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2006-10, and the Cardinals from 2011-13.

In addition to Furcal returning to the Suns, right-handed relief pitcher Matt Montgomery has been transferred from Jacksonville to Triple-A New Orleans. Montgomery pitched in one game for the Suns, tossing three innings allowing one run on April 28 as he earned the win. He is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his three innings of work.

The Suns roster stands at 24 plus Furcal on his MLB rehab assignment, and a revised roster is attached.

The Suns and Braves will be back at it on Friday for game three of this five-game series at Trustmark Park. Jacksonville sends out the right-hander Angel Sanchez (0-4, 4.74) while Mississippi counters with a righty of their own in Jason Hursh (1-2, 2.70).

Suns fans can listen to Friday's game on the Suns Baseball Network, 94.1 WSOS-FM or throughwww.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com or the Suns iPhone or Android app, beginning at 7:45 p.m. ET with the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show. The 2014 season of Suns baseball is presented by EverBank, the official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. Sponsorships, group outings, and season / individual game tickets are currently available by calling the Suns front office at (904) 358-2846.

Check out the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from May 2, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central