The Marlins have designated veteran infielder Jose Lopez for assignment to make room for minor league outfielder Bryan Peterson.
Lopez hasn’t produced this year for the Marlins, only managing a .478 OPS over 50 games with Florida. The 27 year old was signed by the club after he was released by the Rockies in early June.
Florida has announced that they hope to give Peterson a chance to prove himself as an everyday player at the major league level. The club has previously used him as a backup or utility guy, but started him in right field tonight and hopes to give him every opportunity to succeed.
"“I told him to play the game the way he’s been playing in New Orleans,” Marlins’ manager Jack McKeon said. “I know he feels he’s got to get a hit and he’s got to make an impression. But I told him, ‘You’re not going to impress me if you go 5-for-5 or if you 0-for-5.’ I just want you to relax, have fun and do whatever it takes to help us win a game.”"
Peterson earned his way to the bigs after his impressive first half with the Marlins’ Triple-A squad. This season the 25 year old has posted a line of .351/.434/.569 in the minors with 11 homers and 21 doubles.
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