The Marlins pitching roller coaster continues as Anibal Sanchez is back on the 15-day DL and Cristhian Martinez was called back to the Majors. Ricky Nolasco is likely to be brought back in time to take Sanchez’s start on Sunday.

The Marlins made their loudest move of the year by shipping the struggling Ricky Nolasco to AAA to get his act together. Nolasco was the top of the rotation, pitching on opening day after a stellar 15-win season. At 2-5 with an ERA over 9.00, Nolasco desperately needs to figure out his fastball and confidence. Sean West was called up from AA and will start on Saturday night. Dave Davidson, who struggled in one terrible inning tonight was DFA-ed and AA righty Chris Leroux was called up to provide a fresh arm in the bullpen.

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.

Here is what Fredi had to say:

Ricky Nolasco made a strong case to be the Marlins’ opening day starter by throwing a no-hitter against Detroit. Dan Meyer and Leo Nunez each pitched a scoreless inning. Box score.

The Marlins were able to close the gap with Ricky Nolasco, Alfredo Amezaga and Cody Ross.

Florida reached agreement on a one-year deal with Ricky Nolasco early Tuesday afternoon, according to a baseball source.

The 26-year-old right-hander will earn $2.4 million, plus he can earn another $50,000 in incentives. The sides had been about $200,000 apart in recent days. Locking up Nolasco means both sides avoid an arbitration hearing.

And…

The Marlins have avoided salary arbitration with outfielder Cody Ross, who agreed to a 1-year deal for $2,225,000 shortly before Tuesday’s noon deadline.

That leaves Dan Uggla unsigned. Uggla has put up monster numbers in his first three years and rightfully believes he will get a huge number in arbitration.

Update: Uggla wants $5.35 million