Merandy Gonzalez called up from Jumbo Shrimp to Marlins

Right-hander is first Jacksonville player called up to Miami this season

Merandy Gonzalez delivers a pitch during his start April 14 against Mobile at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville (credit: Jim Brady)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Miami Marlins announced a transaction that impacts their Double-A affiliate Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp roster prior to Thursday’s game against the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field at 7:15 p.m.

Right-handed pitcher Merandy Gonzalez has been recalled to the major league Miami Marlins. In two starts for the Jumbo Shrimp, Gonzalez was 0–1 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 innings pitched. This is his first call up to the major leagues and the first from the Jacksonville roster to Miami this season.

Gonzalez is listed by MLB.com as Miami’s No. 15 prospect and a top-20 Marlins prospect for 2018 according to Baseball America. Gonzalez, 22, is a native of Cotui, Dominican Republic, and has been on the Marlins 40-man roster since Nov. 20, 2017. He was acquired by the Marlins along with outfielder Ricardo Cespedes from the New York Mets in exchange for right-handed pitcher A.J. Ramos on July 28, 2017.

The Jumbo Shrimp roster stands at 24 active players.

The Jumbo Shrimp and Lookouts will continue their series with the fourth game of the five-game set at AT&T Field on Thursday night at 7:15 p.m. Right-handed pitcher Nick Neidert (1–0, 5.19) will start for Jacksonville against Lookouts right-hander Randy LeBlanc (1–1, 2.70 ERA). Fans can listen to the game on the Jumbo Shrimp Network presented by Community First, beginning at 7 p.m. with the pregame show “Shrimp On Deck” on Sunny 102.3 FM Jacksonville’s Greatest Hits, the TuneIn Radio app, and www.jaxshrimp.com.

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.