Marlins activate Rafael Furcal, insert him into lead-off spot
By Dan Zinski
Ageless infielder Rafael Furcal is finally ready to make his season debut for the Miami Marlins. On Friday, the Marlins activated Furcal from the DL, and they are wasting no time getting him into the lineup. The 36-year-old Furcal will reportedly start at second base and bat lead-off for the Marlins Friday night against the Pirates.
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This is Furcal’s first action on a baseball field since August 30, 2012 when he was a member of the Cardinals. Furcal missed the entire 2013 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery (yes, old infielders sometimes have that surgery too). He signed a one-year/$3.5 million deal with the Marlins in the offseason but started the year on the DL after suffering groin and hamstring injuries.
Can Rafael Furcal still contribute at 36 (or whatever his real age is) after spending a whole year on the shelf? The Marlins want to find out right away what Furcal brings to the table, and that’s why they’re not wasting any time getting him back into the lineup.
His contribution to the team ultimately will be as a platoon player/veteran leader more than an everyday starter, you have to believe.
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