Marlins activate Elieser Hernandez, designate Aneurys Zabala for assignment

The Marlins have activated right-hander Elieser Hernandez from the injured list and designated Aneurys Zabala for assignment, per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald.

Hernandez has long been thought of as a potential rotation stalwart for the Marlins, but the 27-year-old struggled mightily to start the year. After nine starts and five relief appearances, Hernandez holds a 6.11 ERA (6.81 FIP) across 53 frames on the year.

It isn’t clear what Hernandez’s role will be upon his return. He could be asked to step into a rotation currently missing both Trevor Rogers and recent debutant Max Meyer. Should manager Don Mattingly prefer to move forward with Jesus Lazardo, Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera behind Pablo Lopez and Cy Young contender Sandy Alcantara, though, he may instead slot into a bullpen that recently lost both Zach Pop and Anthony Bass in a deadline trade with the Blue Jays.

Something of a minor league journeyman, the 25-year-old Zabala made his big-league debut this season and allowed no earned runs in 2 2/3 innings of action. He’s logged a 5.58 ERA in parts of eight seasons in the minors between the Mariners’, Dodgers’, Reds’, Phillies’ and Marlins’ systems. Should he clear waivers, he’ll likely head back to Triple-A Jacksonville, where he pitched 11 2/3 innings 10.03 ERA ball early in the season.