Saltalamachia Returning for Heaney's Debut: Report

The Miami Marlins will debut the team’s newest pitching ace Thursday when southpaw Andrew Heaney takes the mound. And the Marlins will have the team’s top catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, behind the plate to catch Heaney after he’s missed two weeks, according to MLB.com.

Saltalamacchia was out while dealing with a concussion he suffered in a May 31 game against the Atlanta Braves. Saltalamacchia was hurt when a foul tip off the bat of B.J. Upton hit him in the catcher’s mask.

The first-year catcher started out the season strong in April, but came back to earth in May up until he suffered his concussion. In his last 10 games before the injury, Salty’s batting average dropped from .264 to .237. Overall this season, Saltalamacchia has hit six home runs and driving in 17 RBI’s and has a .335 on-base percentage with an OPS of .739.

Heaney will make his debut Thursday against the New York Mets. In 13 minor league games this year, Heaney has posted a 7-2 record with a 2.47 ERA along with 79 stirkeouts to just 15 walks.

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