Calero Placed on Disabled List

Kiko Calero’s heavy workload finally caught up with him. The steady right-hander, whose 36 relief appearances ranks second in the majors, was placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday with right Calero shoulder inflammation. The Marlins filled his spot by recalling RHP Tim Wood from Triple A New Orleans.

Calero hasn’t pitched since Wednesday at Fenway Park when he gave up a run on a hit and three walks in 2/3 inning. He’s on the DL retroactive to Thursday. Calero (2.01 ERA) was one of the most dependable members of the bullpen for the Marlins

Wood was up earlier with the Marlins but did not make an appearance.

By: Miami Herald

Marlins Relish N.Y. Frenzy

The Marlins know South Florida is fired up about the arrival of the New York Yankees. More than 100,000 fans are expected for the three game-series that starts tonight at Land Shark Stadium.

But the players are excited, too.

“When you think about baseball, the first thing that comes to mind for a fan is the New York Yankees. It’s a lot of history,” infielder Wes Helms said.

“You always want to play the best because to go to the playoffs you’ve got to beat the best. As a player, playing in the atmosphere like it will be when we play the Yankees, that’s what the big leagues are all about – playing in front of big crowds and loud atmosphere.”

It will be loud, all right, especially Saturday when cowbells will be handed out to fans.

The Marlins are expecting 35,000 tonight when rookie Sean West faces Andy Pettitte, 45,000 Saturday for Josh Johnson and A.J. Burnett and 30,000 on Sunday for Chris Volstad and CC Sabathia.

The Marlins are last in attendance in the major leagues with an average of about 17,000.

“When you have a nice crowd in that kind of atmosphere in Miami, it makes it that much more fun to play, especially with the Yankees coming,” outfielder Cody Ross said. “They’ve got a good team this year. We’ve got to match their intensity.”

Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez is looking forward to playing again against a shortstop he idolized growing up – Derek Jeter. Before his rookie season of 2006, Ramirez asked to wear No. 2 as a tribute to Jeter.

The last time the Yankees played at Land Shark Stadium, they split two exhibition games at the end of spring training in 2008. The last meaningful game in South Florida between the teams was Game 5 of the 2003 World Series. The Marlins won 6-4 behind Brad Penny.

“All I remember is it was probably the biggest game of my life,” said Penny, now with the Boston Red Sox.

The Marlins went on to win the World Series in six games.

This weekend’s series also features the return of Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who was fired by the Marlins after his rookie managerial season in 2006 because of clashes with the front office.

“A lot of people look at how it ended, but I had an enjoyable year there,” said Girardi, who lives in Parkland. “I saw players grow. I saw someone (Hanley Ramirez) become rookie of the year. And I know the weather’s going to be a lot different there.

“Besides that it’s home. And I haven’t been home since February.”

By: Palm Beach Post

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