PEARL, Miss. – The Miami Marlins announced pair of transactions that impact their Double-A affiliate Jacksonville Suns roster prior to tonight’s game against the Mississippi Braves at 8 p.m. ET at Trustmark Park.
Right-handed starting pitcher Jake Esch has been transferred to Jacksonville’s disabled list. Esch, a midseason Southern League All-Star, is 6-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 15 starts for the Suns.
In a corresponding move, right-handed relief pitcher Tyler Higgins has joined the Suns from High-A Jupiter. Higgins has pitched in 16 games in relief for the Hammerheads this season, with no wins or losses and a 3.00 ERA, allowing only nine earned runs in 27 innings pitched. Higgins also has one save, plus 21 strikeouts compared to only two walks.
Higgins pitched for the Suns in 2014, going 2-0 with a 4.97 ERA in 15 relief appearances. His season was cut short due to Tommy John surgery that he underwent in June 2014. Higgins was originally selected by the Marlins in the 23rd round of the 2011 draft out of Lansing Community College (Michigan).
The Suns roster now stands at 25 active players.
The Suns will begin a five-game series on Wednesday night with the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park with a first pitch set for 8:00 p.m. ET. The Suns will send out right-hander Trevor Williams (5-7, 3.98 ERA) while the Braves have yet to announce their starter.
Suns fans can also listen to Wednesday’s game on the Suns Baseball Network, 600 AM & 100.3 FM “The Answer” or through http://www.jaxsuns.com, MiLB.com, or the TuneIn radio app, coverage will start with the Memorial Hospital Suns Pregame Show beginning at 7:45 p.m. ET.
The 2015 season of Suns baseball is presented by EverBank, the official banking partner of the Jacksonville Suns. Sponsorships, group outings, and season/individual game tickets are currently available by calling the Suns front office at (904) 358-2846.