Covering the Miami Marlins
The Marlins played their first game, albeit a Spring Training game, as the Miami Marlins and beat the Cardinals 4-3 at Roger Dean Stadium. Greg Dobbs went 3-3, driving in 3 runs on a home run and 2 doubles. Josh Johnson, in his first game since May 2011, threw 1-2/3 innings allowing 2 hits and a walk while striking out 2. The Marlins next game is on Tuesday against the University of Miami in their first game ever at Marlins Park.
In his first at bat, leading off the Marlins intrasquad game, Jose Reyes hit a home run off Ricky Nolasco.
Looking forward to seeing more photos RT @JCRMarlinsbeat #Marlins wearing the home whites today. http://t.co/rFRz1jED
The most intriguing NL spring story and most improved NL team according to @jaysonst? The #Marlins of course. http://t.co/Fv5Hg74d
The Marlins didn’t want to enter the season without a left-handed starter so earlier today they reacquired Nate Robertson from the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher Jay Voss. As part of the deal, Detroit will absorb a majority of his $10 million contract. Robertson will take the 5th spot in the rotation, pushing Clay Hensley into the bullpen. Robertson was in the Marlins system as late as 2002 when he was traded to Detroit for Mark Redman.
Looks like Derrick Turnbow’s comeback attempt with the Marlins, and probably his career, is over. After Turnbow was pulled from a Spring Training game today, Joe Frisaro tweeted:
#Marlins Turn ow said shoulder pain today 10 times worse than broken elbow
Ouch.
Marlins are playing their first Spring Training game against the University of Miami and you can listen to it live here.
The Marlins 2009 roster is now complete.
| Pitchers | B/T | Height | Weight | Birth | Salary | |
| 40 | Kiko Calero | R/R | 6-1 | 210 | 01/09/75 | $500,000 |
| 55 | Josh Johnson | L/R | 6-7 | 230 | 01/31/84 | $1,400,000 |
| 20 | Logan Kensing | R/R | 6-1 | 185 | 07/03/82 | $660,000 |
| 22 | Matt Lindstrom | R/R | 6-4 | 210 | 02/11/80 | $410,000 |
| 53 | Dan Meyer | R/L | 6-3 | 220 | 07/03/81 | $400,000 |
| 23 | Andrew Miller | L/L | 6-6 | 210 | 05/21/85 | $1,575,000 |
| 47 | Ricky Nolasco | R/R | 6-2 | 220 | 12/13/82 | $2,400,000 |
| 46 | Leo Nunez | R/R | 6-1 | 175 | 08/14/83 | $414,500 |
| 48 | Hayden Penn | R/R | 6-3 | 200 | 10/13/84 | $400,000 |
| 37 | Renyel Pinto | L/L | 6-4 | 215 | 07/08/82 | $404,000 |
| 43 | Scott Proctor* | R/R | 6-1 | 195 | 01/02/77 | $750,000 |
| 19 | Anibal Sanchez | R/R | 6-0 | 180 | 02/27/84 | $400,000 |
| 56 | Rick VandenHurk* | R/R | 6-5 | 195 | 05/22/85 | $400,000 |
| 41 | Chris Volstad | R/R | 6-8 | 225 | 09/23/86 | $400,000 |
| Catchers | B/T | Height | Weight | Birth | Salary | |
| 21 | John Baker | L/R | 6-1 | 210 | 01/20/81 | $400,000 |
| 29 | Ronny Paulino | R/R | 6-2 | 245 | 04/21/81 | $440,000 |
| Infielders | B/T | Height | Weight | Birth | Salary | |
| 4 | Alfredo Amezaga* | S/R | 5-10 | 180 | 01/16/78 | $1,300,000 |
| 1 | Emilio Bonifacio | S/R | 5-10 | 195 | 04/23/85 | $400,000 |
| 3 | Jorge Cantu | R/R | 6-3 | 200 | 01/30/82 | $3,500,000 |
| 7 | Ross Gload | L/L | 6-1 | 190 | 04/05/76 | $1,900,000 |
| 50 | Andy Gonzalez | R/R | 6-3 | 205 | 12/15/81 | $400,000 |
| 18 | Wes Helms | R/R | 6-4 | 220 | 05/12/76 | $950,000 |
| 2 | Hanley Ramirez | R/R | 6-3 | 200 | 12/23/83 | $5,500,000 |
| 6 | Dan Uggla | R/R | 5-11 | 200 | 03/11/80 | $5,350,000 |
| Outfielders | B/T | Height | Weight | Birth | Salary | |
| 25 | Brett Carroll | R/R | 6-0 | 190 | 10/03/82 | $400,000 |
| 27 | Jeremy Hermida | L/R | 6-3 | 210 | 01/30/84 | $2,250,000 |
| 24 | Cameron Maybin | R/R | 6-4 | 205 | 04/04/87 | $400,000 |
| 12 | Cody Ross | R/L | 5-9 | 205 | 12/23/80 | $2,225,000 |
* Disabled List
Anibal Sanchez was named the Marlins’ fourth stater and Andrew Miller will pitch in the fifth spot. Miller‘s first start is scheduled for April 15th, so he will be available for long relief during the first week of the season.
Robert Andino, who was out of options, to the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed reliever Hayden Penn. Penn hasn’t had a stellar career:
Penn reached the big leagues with the Orioles in 2005, and he’s appeared in seven Grapefruit League games this spring. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 10.06 ERA in 17 innings.
The 24-year-old Penn was 0-4 with a 15.10 ERA in six starts last year, logging 19 2/3 innings.
Additionally, the Fish found a left-handed hitter to come off the bench. The Marlins acquired 33-year old Ross Gload and cash from the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later.
Last year, Dallas McPherson led the minors in home runs.. today, he’s unemployed. The Marlins released McPherson this evening and also assigned Alejandro De Aza, Michael Ryan and John Koronka to the minor league camp.
Gaby Sanchez was the favorite to take over at first base but after a weak spring, he is heading to AAA. This likely means Jorge Cantu will move to first base and Emilio Bonifacio will take over third.
Apparently not satisfied with their catching depth, the Marlins have acquired Ronny Paulino from the giants for minor league right-handed pitcher Hector Correa.
Paulino, 27, was traded to the Giants from Philadelphia for left-handed pitcher Jack Taschner Friday night prior to being traded to Florida. He was previously traded to the Phillies from Pittsburgh on December 10, 2008 in exchange for catcher Jason Jaramillo. He had spent his entire career with the Pirates, posting a career average of .278 (284×1021) with 49 doubles, 19 home runs and 128 RBI in 304 Major League games.
The Santo Domingo, DR native appeared in just 40 games with Pittsburgh last season while battling a right ankle sprain. For his career Paulino has thrown out 51 of 165 (24%) of runners attempting to steal. A right-handed hitter, he owns a career .355 (92×259) average against left-handed pitchers. Paulino was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 29, 1997.
I guess Mike Rabelo is still not good enough for the big leagues.
Update: The Marlins didn’t wait long. Mike Rabelo and Brett Hayes were sent down to AAA.
Ricky Nolasco.
I guess throwing a no-hitter in Spring Training made the decision easier for Fredi Gonzalez.
As expected, Josh Johnson will take the second spot and Chris Volstad will pitch the third game. Either Anibal Sanchez or Andrew Miller will take the fourth spot with the other going to the bullpen until April 18th, when the Marlins will need a fifth starter. Continue reading “And Your Opening Day Starter is…”
The Marlins have made several roster moves in the past couple of days: