Zebulon, NC - A skin tear to a right finger of World Series MVP Josh Beckett has ripped open a spot on the Florida Marlins' 25-man roster for Josh Willingham, called up to the major leagues after Carolina's 8-3 win over the Jacksonville Suns on Monday night.

Willingham went 2-4 with a two-run double to centerfield in his final Double-A at-bat in the eighth inning against Franquelis Osoria.

Florida will host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Pro Player Stadium Tuesday night at 7:05 PM ET. Dontrelle Willis is scheduled to start.

Also in Monday's Marlins loss to Pittsburgh, frontline catcher Mike Redmond left the game with stiffness in his lower back. Beckett had just been activated by the Marlins in advance of his start Monday night. Beckett was placed back on the disabled list following the game.

Willingham, rated as the Marlins' # 6 propsect at the outset of the season, overcame a sluggish offensive start to the season, hitting .189 through May 7th. From that point, Willingham hit .325 (52-160). Willingham was streaking into his first big-league promotion with 16 RBI in his last 13 games (45 AB), with 12 of his last 16 hits for extra bases (7-2b, 5hr). Ironically, Willingham, coverted to catching in the fall of 2002, played first base in his last game with the Mudcats with Dennis Anderson receving Nic Ungs' victory.

Willingham leaves Carolina hitting .282 with 17 home runs (2nd in S.L), 55 RBI (3rd), a .581 slugging percentage (1st), an on-base percentage of .428 (2nd), 136 total bases (7th) and 53 walks (1st). Willingham's 17 homers are one shy of matching a career high established among three minor league stops in 2003, despite only appearing in 83 games and 267 at-bats.

The Mudcats (42-41) were 29-30 with Willingham catching, throwing out 29% of baserunners (17-58). Willingham had been Carolina's clean-up hitter since a June 13th injury to the right wrist of Jason Stokes.

Willingham started at catcher 57 times, five in left field and five at first base.

Willingham is the first Mudcat to be promoted directly from Carolina to the major leagues since Miguel Cabrera made the jump on June 20, 2003. Reigning N.L. Rookie of the Year Dontrelle Willis made the same jump from Double-A on May 9, 2003.

No roster replacement had been named to Carolina at the time of this release.