MIAMI (AP) -Baseball’s home run leader joined the Florida Marlins on Tuesday.
Dallas McPherson, who hit 42 home runs for Albuquerque, was recalled from the Triple-A team. Playing primarily at third base but also seeing some time at first, McPherson hit .275 with 98 RBIs.
“To be able to make it the whole season with no back problems and no major injuries, it’s been a real blessing,” McPherson said. “I just wanted to show I wasn’t a guy who’s always injured.”
McPherson missed the 2007 season while recovering from back surgery, then became a free agent when the Los Angeles Angels failed to offer a contract. He signed with Florida but was sidelined for the start of spring training with a sore oblique for about two weeks in March with a sore left groin.
McPherson finished spring training hitting just .095 in 21 at-bats and was beat out by third baseman Jorge Cantu, who has been one of the most consistent hitters Florida has had this season.
“I wasn’t really disappointed,” McPherson said. “Everybody stayed healthy and played good. There really wasn’t a spot for me. I always kind of knew that the team would call me up when they felt like they could use me. Obviously, that situation never happened. I was fine with staying down and just continuing to prove that I could play at this level.”
McPherson has hit .247 with 18 home runs and 45 RBIs in 117 career games in the majors. The 28-year-old had not appeared in the major leagues since Oct. 1, 2006, with the Angels.
The Marlins have a slew of players who are first-time arbitration eligible after this season, including Cantu and first baseman Mike Jacobs. The usually frugal Florida franchise likely will not attempt to keep all of them, giving McPherson a chance to audition for a spot on next year’s roster.
“He’s a big left-handed hitter. A guy with a lot of power who can change the lineup,” Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “This is a good opportunity for him to get a feel for the big leagues again.”
Florida also recalled infielder Robert Andino and pitcher Eulogio de la Cruz.
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