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SL1 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Rafael Furcal Returns to Suns on MLB Rehab Assignment

June 5, 2014 - Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Miami Marlins announced a pair of transactions that impact their Double-A affiliate Jacksonville Suns roster prior to tonight's game against the Tennessee Smokies at Bragan Field at 7:05 p.m.

Miami Marlins second baseman Rafael Furcal returns to the Suns on a major league rehab assignment from High-A Jupiter, beginning tonight in Jacksonville. This is his third rehab stint with the Suns this season.

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 initially suffered in late April. Furcal first played in four games with Jacksonville, hitting .267 (4-for-15) with two doubles and a run scored in his first rehab stint. He left the April 25th game with tightness in his right groin, then was returned from his rehab assignment. Furcal returned to the Suns on May 2 in Mississippi, but his second rehab stint was cut short in the fourth inning that night against the Braves with more groin discomfort.

In all with the Suns, Furcal has played in parts of five games hitting .294 (5-for-17) with a pair of doubles and a run scored. Furcal played in five games this past week with the Jupiter Hammerheads, hitting .375 (6-for-16) with an RBI and three runs scored.

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, left-handed relief pitcher Frankie Reed has been transferred from High-A Jupiter to Jacksonville. Reed is 2-2 this season with a 2.70 ERA in 18 games pitched for the Hammerheads, posting 17 strikeouts in 33 and a third innings pitched. Reed was selected by the Marlins in the 27th round of the 2011 draft out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and this is his first call-up to Double-A.

The Suns roster now stands at 25 active players, plus infielders Furcal and Miguel Tejada on their rehab assignments, and a revised roster is attached.

Tonight the Suns are set to start right-hander Jose Urena (5-3, 4.76), with the Smokies likely countering with righty Julio Rodriguez (1-1, 3.38).

Suns fans can listen to Thursday'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 6:50 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.

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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.

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