Kyle

Skipworth

Skipworth hit just .217 with a .285 on-base percentage in 116 games this season at the Double-A level, but he did manage to slug 21 home runs. The Marlins valued that power enough to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

Skipworth was called up last week with Austin Kearns on the bereavement list and appeared in four games with the Marlins. He’ll continue to serve as Miami’s third catcher in the minors.

Mathis was originally given a 4-for-6 week timetable when he suffered a broken collarbone on February 23, but he thinks an April return would be pushing it. Kyle Skipworth is the top internal candidate to serve as Rob Brantly’s backup for the first month of the season.

A first-round pick in 2008, Skipworth has an underwhelming .660 OPS over parts of five seasons in the minors, but did hit 21 home runs at Double-A Jacksonville last season. With Jeff Mathis expected to miss at least six weeks due to injury, he could a candidate for the backup job behind Rob Brantly.

Skipworth lost his roster spot when the club signed Miguel Olivo. The former first-round pick batted just .160/.313/.240 this spring.

He’ll be with the club for a few days while Austin Kearns is on the bereavement list. Skipworth is unlikely to see much playing time.

Skipworth received just three plate appearances over his week and a half with the club, drawing one walk. He’ll be replaced on the roster by Joe Mahoney.

Skipworth lost out on an Opening Day roster spot after the Marlins signed Miguel Olivo, but Casey Kotchman’s injury made his stay in the minors a short one. He’ll be the club’s third catcher.

Skipworth was designated for assignment Wednesday but has cleared waivers and will remain in the organization. The 23-year-old hit just .188 with a .639 OPS for Triple-A New Orleans this past season.

Skipworth was a first-round pick of the Marlins, sixth overall, in 2008, but he hasn’t panned out as hoped. The 23-year-old hit just .188 with a .639 OPS for Triple-A New Orleans this past season and had only a cup of coffee with the major league club in May. Skipworth was removed from the 40-man roster to make room for the newly signed Casey McGehee.