Chen gave up a hit and a walk over two scoreless innings of relief while striking out one in Thursday's loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

While the southpaw's 9.69 ERA and 2.08 WHIP aren't going to attract much trade interest, Chen is showing signs of growing comfortable in a relief role, tossing six scoreless innings over his last four appearances with a 5:1 K:BB. The Marlins would love to shed his contract, but he'll need a longer run of success in long relief before that's got a chance of happening.

Chen was charged with 10 runs on seven hits -- including four home runs -- and two walks over two innings in Tuesday's loss to the Reds. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran portsider threw 66 pitches (42 strikes) and while there's no silver lining here for his individual performance, Chen at least saved the Marlins' bullpen from being depleted in a 14-0 rout. He now has a nearly incomprehensible 24.75 ERA and has walked five batters in four innings as he attempts to transition to a relief role.

Chen didn't record an out, giving up a hit and a walk, to begin the ninth inning of Sunday's win over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

It's interesting that Don Mattingly brought Chen in rather than Adam Conley to face two left-handed batters (Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl) in a save situation, but the veteran hurler did little to encourage the Marlins manager to repeat the experiment. Chen could need some time to adjust to relief work -- only four of his previous 174 MLB appearances came out of the bullpen -- but given his hefty contract, the club has plenty of incentive to find a role for him that might give him some trade value.

Manager Don Mattlingly announced Sunday that Chen will pitch out of the bullpen to start the season, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The news isn't overly surprising as there's been indications throughout spring that Chen could be slated for some type of bullpen role. The team has yet to announce its official plans for the starting rotation, so the rest of that picture remains a bit murky.

Chen could occasionally be deployed out of the bullpen this season even if he breaks camp with a spot in Miami's rotation, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Marlins have yet to formally outline their rotation plans, but Frisaro suggests the club could be leaning toward carrying seven starters into Opening Day and using two of them as relief/spot-start options. With 12 runs allowed over 11.1 innings this spring, Chen hasn't helped his case for solidifying a permanent rotation spot, so he may be earmarked for one of the swing roles that Frisaro envisions. After demoting Jarlin Garcia and Brian Moran to their minor-league camp Tuesday, the Marlins are lacking in other lefty bullpen arms besides Adam Conley, which offers further incentive for the team to keep another southpaw in Chen on hand in relief, at least occasionally.

Chen gave up three runs on seven hits and a walk over four innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves. He failed to strike out a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The results could have been a lot worse for the veteran lefty, but the Marlins turned three double plays behind him. Chen is still competing for a rotation spot to begin the season, but his 9.53 ERA and 5:3 K:BB through 11.1 spring innings aren't making a good case, and the Miami front office has incentive to limit his workload and consider him for a long-relief role -- his $16 million option for 2021 automatically vests if he throws 360 total innings over the next two seasons.

Chen struck out eight in seven scoreless innings Friday against the Reds, allowing three hits and no walks in a no-decision.

EDGE Analysis

Chen had a fantastic outing Friday but was locked in a pitcher's duel against the Reds' Luis Castillo. Since the beginning of August, Chen has gone 3-3 with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts, recording 48 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. The left-hander sports a 4.66 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 25 starts on the year. He'll take on the Nationals in his next start in Washington.

Chen (6-11) allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over four innings, taking the loss Friday against Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Chen gave up three runs in the second inning and two more in the fourth before leaving the game with 79 pitches (47 strikes). He hadn't surrendered more than three runs in a start since July 30 against Atlanta prior to Friday's outing, posting a 1.84 ERA with 36 punchouts through his previous six performances (39.2 innings). He'll look for a better outcome Thursday versus Cincinnati.

Chen (6-10) took the loss Saturday at Pittsburgh, allowing three runs on five hits over four innings. He struck out six and walked two.

EDGE Analysis

Chen threw first-pitch strikes to only 7-of-18 batters faced as he needed 86 pitches to get through four innings. The 33-year-old had a 1.44 ERA and 0.80 WHIP over his last five starts before Saturday, and will look to regain that form against the Mets on Thursday.

Chen went a full 8 innings for his his second consecutive win and sixth win on the season.

EDGE Analysis

Chen scattered three hits and a single run over eight innings while striking out seven and walking none. 'This was his fifth consecutive outing allowing two or fewer earned runs. This was the first time he has worked more than six innings in a 2018 start while his 107 pitch count was his third-highest on the season. His next outing will come on the road in Pittsburgh.