April 14, 200521 yr MIAMI -- Marlins fifth starter Ismael Valdez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, retroactive to April 4, with a hairline fracture to his right fibula. Valdez would be eligible to come off the DL on Tuesday, his scheduled day to start. But the likelihood of the veteran right-hander being ready to face the Nationals in Washington on that day are remote. Valdez, who was struck by a line drive while pitching in a Minor League game on April 4, is not making the trip with the team to New York this weekend, where the Marlins face the Mets for three games before heading to Washington. The Marlins have not yet announced who will replace Valdez on the roster. Chances are it could be reliever John Riedling, who opened the season on the disabled list because of tendinitis in his right shoulder. Riedling was placed on the DL retroactive to March 25, and he threw off the mound at the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter on Thursday. Riedling hasn't thrown in a game since facing the Yankees on March 15 in Grapefruit League action in Tampa. It's been a rough start to the year for Valdez, who arrived a few days late to Spring Training due to the death of his grandfather in Mexico. Then, he missed time with a virus in his throat, before he was struck with a line drive just above his right ankle on April 4. Brian Moehler has already made one start in place of Valdez. It is likely Moehler will face the Nationals on Tuesday, if Valdez isn't cleared to pitch. http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla
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