Marlins Call Up Red-Hot Infielder

The Miami Marlins added a versatile—and red-hot—infielder to the major league roster, selecting the contract of 30-year-old Erik Gonzalez from Triple-A Jacksonville. After parts of six years in the majors, split between the Cleveland Guardians and Pittsburgh Pirates, the Marlins had signed him to a minor league contract in December. 

Gonzalez was hitting a robust .392 with a .943 OPS in 103 plate appearances with Jacksonville thus far. In 805 at-bats over six seasons in the bigs, he's averaged .245 with a .621 OPS, so he's batting a bit over his pay grade at the moment.

He can play almost every defensive position, though 3B, 2B and SS are his most viable spots, and he plays them well. Gonzalez was a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the majors with Cleveland, but couldn't crack their vaunted infield at the time of Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor and Jason Kipnis. 

In Miami, he'll get a chance to spell a bit of relief around the diamond for Joey Wendle, Jazz Chisholm and Miguel Rojas. 

Photo credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports