The Florida Marlins announced Tuesday they have signed right-handed pitcher/designated hitter Jonathan Asahina to a minor league contract. Asahina was drafted by Florida in the 31st round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, the 911th overall selection. The 6-1, 190 lb. native of Fresno attended Edison High School and Fresno City Collegea. He was named to the California Community College All-State team, was the Northern California Player of the Year and the Central Valley Conference Player of the Year.

John Mabry, the recently-acquired left-handed-hitting utility man has torn his pectoral muscle and will be out for a significant period. Mabry is the second Marlins utility man on the DL, joining Andy Fox, who broke a finger and will be out 8 to 10 weeks. Left-handed Outfielder/infielder Ryan McGuire was called up to replace Mabry. Despite the loss of Mabry, the Marlins left Montreal with a 6-3 victory over the Expos. Starter Jason Grilli gave the Marlins 6 innings and a home-run, Preston Wilson stole home, and Antonio Alfonseca earned his first save of the season, as the Marlins improved to 4 wins and 7 losses.

The Florida Marlins today announced they have acquired John Mabry from the St. Louis Cardinals for cash considerations. Mabry, 30, batted .235 with 8 home runs and 32 RBI in 96 games last season for the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. Last season he played 42 games in right field, nine games in left, 22 at third base and five at first.

Ryan Dempster, at the age of 23, will throw the opening pitch of the 2001 season, the Marlins 9th, today against the Philadelphia Phillies. A sold-out Pro Player Stadium will greet “The Original Marlin” Charles Johnson on his return home to the Marlins. This will be CJ’s 5th opening day in the Marlins’ starting line-up, tying him for the club record with Jeff Conine and Gary Sheffield. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:05. Hall-of-famer Bob Gibson will toss the ceremonial first pitch. Omar Daal will start for the visiting Phillies. The Marlins are looking to extend a 6-game winning streak from last season. Furthermore, the Marlins are on a 4-year opening day winning streak and are 5-3 overall on opening days.
(Full Release)

OPENING DAY LINEUP ROTATION
Luis Castillo, 2B
Eric Owens, RF
Cliff Floyd, LF
Preston Wilson, CF
Mike Lowell, 3B
Charles Johnson, C
Derrek Lee, 1B
Alex Gonz

The Florida Marlins announced today they have acquired left-handed pitcher Oswaldo Mairena from the Chicago Cubs for Manny Aybar. Mairena, 25, spent time with the Cubs and Yankees last season. Chicago acquired him on July 21, 2000 from New York along with pitcher Ben Ford for outfielder Glenallen Hill. He made his Major League debut on September 5 at Colorado. Mariena had a combined 2-6 record with a 3.26 ERA in 53 minor league games last season. He spent time with AAA Columbus, AA Norwich, AA West Tennessee and AAA Iowa last year. Mairena has appeared in two Major League games, both with Chicago, and has allowed four earned runs in two innings pitched.

The Florida Marlins announced today they have claimed left-handed pitcher Horacio Estrada off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. To make room for Estrada, the Marlins have placed right-handed pitcher Alex Fernandez on the 60-day disabled list. Estrada, 25, was 3-0 with a 6.29 ERA in seven games (four starts) with Milwaukee in 2000, and 14-4 with a 3.33 ERA in 25 starts at AAA Indianapolis last season.