Marlins’ injury bug bites Bonifacio, hitting coach Mallee

By Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel
MIAMI GARDENS — Not even the Marlins’ coaching staff is immune to the rash of injuries that’s plagued the organization this year.

The Marlins were without two more uniformed personnel Monday as Emilio Bonifacio was scratched from the lineup with left hamstring tightness. In addition, hitting coach John Mallee is feared to have torn the biceps tendon off the bone when he bent down to pick up the pitching platform behind the “L” screen during batting practice.

“Just lifting it up I felt it ripped,” Mallee said. “I can’t move it. I need surgery. Unbelievable.”

Bonifacio was set to lead off and play shortstop in place of Hanley Ramirez, who’s missed the last three games with left elbow inflammation. Hitless in 13 at-bats during the Cubs series, Bonifacio felt some discomfort running to first in his final at-bat Sunday. It was no better Monday when he tried running before the game.

“Since there was only an inning left [Sunday] I didn’t say anything,” Bonifacio said. “I don’t think it’s too bad.”

Rookie Ozzie Martinez, recalled from Double-A Jacksonville on Sunday, got the start at short and tallied his first major league hit. He made his major league debut as a pinch-hitter Sunday and drew a ninth-inning walk.

At different points this season the Marlins have lost John Baker, Chris Coghlan, Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Sean West, Donnie Murphy, Jhan Marinez and Brett Hayes for the season with injuries.

New addition

After leaning on the bullpen for 7 2/3 innings in Sunday’s loss to the Cubs, the Marlins called up Double-A Jacksonville right-hander Steve Cishek, who joined the club in time for Monday’s game.

Cishek was driving home to Falmouth, Mass., when he got word to turn around. A fifth-round pick in 2007 out of Carson-Newman College, Cishek opened the season in Class-A Jupiter, where he made 26 appearances and had a 2.86 ERA before his promotion to the Suns. He went 3-1 with a 4.31 ERA in 22 games, helping the Suns win their second straight Southern League title.

To accommodate Cishek on the 40-man roster, the Marlins transferred Marinez to the 60-day disabled list.