Mike

Dunn

This closes the book on an 11-year major league career between the Marlins, Rockies, Braves, and Yankees. The 34-year-old scuffled with a 7.13 ERA over 28 appearances with Colorado last season prior to being designated for assignment in June. Dunn enjoyed most of his success in a left-handed specialist role with the Marlins. He’ll walk away with a 4.00 ERA over 555 appearances in the majors.

Dunn had posted a wretched 7.13 ERA in 17 2/3 innings (28 appearances) this season with the Rockies while fighting left shoulder troubles. He is still owed around $5 million from Colorado and will likely clear waivers.

Diehl’s first big-league stint was a short one. He struggled in his two appearances, allowing four runs in just two innings of work, both against the Cubs. His roster spot was absorbed by Mike Dunn (shoulder), who was activated after a brief spell on the injured list.

Dunn required just a minimum 10-day stint on the injured list after going down with AC join inflammation last week. To clear a roster spot for him, the Rockies demoted Phillip Diehl to Triple-A Albuquerque. The veteran reliever will fill a setup/lefty specialist role for Colorado.

Dunn needed surgery on the AC joint in his left shoulder last September, so this IL placement is a worrisome development. There is no timetable for the lefty reliever’s return to the Rockies’ bullpen.

Black told reporters on Friday, “Mike should be ready for Opening Day... We will monitor him closely early in Spring Training. He’s currently throwing off the mound and feeling good.” The left-hander underwent shoulder surgery in September to address his ailing AC joint. He’ll once again operate in a setup role in front of closer Wade Davis.

Dunn had shoulder surgery in September and it’s unclear when he might be ready to pitch again. He’s now back on the 40-man roster.

Dunn surrendered three earned runs in 2/3 of an inning Sunday against Arizona to bloat his ERA to 9.53. Over the past two seasons with the Braves and Fish, Dunn posted an ERA+ of 128 in 97 relief appearances. He should be back soon.

Dunn was exiled to NOLA in late-April after posting a 9.53 ERA with the Fish. When he’s on, however, he is arguably Miami’s most talented reliever. With the struggles of Heath Bell, the club could use a live arm in the late innings. Over the previous two seasons with the Braves and Marlins, Dunn posted an ERA+ of 128 in 97 relief appearances.

He made manager Ozzie Guillen sweat first, allowing a hit and a walk before getting Andy LaRoche looking to cinch the two-run win. It’s confirmation that the Marlins will go with a closer-by-committee, as Steve Cishek netted the first save since Heath Bell’s demotion, and Randy Choate and Edward Mujica could get into the mix, as well. Bell pitched the eighth inning Monday.