Miami ? The Florida Marlins fired manager Jeff Torborg, whose handling of pitchers drew criticism during a wave of recent injuries, and replaced him Sunday with Jack McKeon.

Torborg is the first manager in the major leagues to be fired this season.

General manager Larry Beinfest said he informed Torborg following a 5-4 loss Saturday to Colorado. The defeat was the seventh in eight games for the Marlins (16-22), dropping them nine games behind NL East leader Atlanta entering Sunday’s game against Colorado.

“This is a better team than we’ve played,” Beinfest said. “The fans here in South Florida deserve to have hope this summer. There is enough time left to turn it around and get back in it.”

The 72-year-old McKeon, who signed a contract through this season, is taking over his fifth club. He has managed Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego and Cincinnati, posting a 770-733 record.

Beinfest said Torborg took the news well, but pitching coach Brad Arnsberg became angry when told he was also fired. Beinfest said he and owner Jeffrey Loria went to Arnsberg’s apartment late Saturday to inform him.

“He was abusive and clearly unprofessional,” Beinfest said. “I would say he was bordering on violent.”

For that reason, Beinfest said, Arnsberg wasn’t allowed in the stadium Sunday to collect his belongings.

Arnsberg declined to talk about what he said to Loria and Beinfest. He said he wasn’t shocked to be fired since there had been rumors he would be replaced.

“All I’ll say is, when one is so vindictive, they’ll finally get their way,” Arnsberg said. He declined to elaborate.

Minor-league pitching coordinator Wayne Rosenthal replaced Arnsberg. Minor-league field coordinator Doug Davis was promoted to bench coach, with bench coach Jeff Cox moving to the bullpen. Torborg’s son, Dale, was fired as strength and conditioning director.

Loria said before the season he expected the Marlins to contend for the playoffs. But since April 25, four of the team’s five starting pitchers have been hurt — A.J. Burnett, Josh Beckett, Mark Redman and Michael Tejera.

Burnett required reconstructive elbow surgery last week that could sideline him until 2005. Torborg and Arnsberg were accused of overworking the young right-hander by ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine and others.

There were further questions when Beckett, another talented young right-hander, was sidelined this week by a sprained right elbow. Redman has a broken thumb, and Tejera hurt his back and right leg when he stumbled over a base Saturday.

When asked if Torborg’s handling of pitchers was a factor in his firing, Beinfest said, “We looked at everything.”

Torborg, 61, said he was surprised by the dismissal but didn’t think his work with the pitchers played a role.

“I think it’s more bottom-line production,” he said. “We haven’t won enough games. … But I was so proud of the way these kids play. They play with such enthusiasm. Knowing we had been struggling of late, that’s disappointing. But I had to thank Jeffrey Loria. He gave me a chance to get back on the field, and I appreciate the opportunity.”

Loria and Torborg have been friends for about 20 years. The owner said he accompanied Beinfest late Saturday to notify Torborg, and their meeting was “wonderful and cordial.”