The Marlins 2009 roster is now complete.

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.

With Spring Training winding down, the Marlins traded 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.

Here is what Fredi had to say:

The Marlins have made several roster moves in the past couple of days:

• Taylor Tankersley and Ryan Tucker were options to AAA
• Tim Wood was optioned to AA
• Chris Coghlan was assigned to the Minor League camp
• Carlos Vasquez (LHP) signed a Minor League deal
• Frankie De La Cruz was claimed off waivers by the Padres. The Marlins pulled him back and then agreed to trade him for cash and a player to be named later.

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 made several more cuts today including sending Rule 5 pick Zach Kroenke back to the New York Yankees. Heading back to the minors are Dallas Trahern, Aaron Thompson and Chris Leroux.

Also released was Harvey Garcia.