JUPITER, Fla. — Before returning to Grapefruit League games, the Marlins plan on having Mike Stanton get some playing time on the back fields in Minor League contests.
Out with a strained right quad since Feb. 27, Stanton is taking batting practice and throwing. The past two days, the 21-year-old also has done some light running.
“It’s more of an upper-class jog, I would say,” Stanton said. “It feels pretty good.”
Stanton is testing his leg by doing about six trots at 120 feet, and then walking back.
Manager Edwin Rodriguez hopes to have Stanton playing in Grapefruit League games about seven to 10 games before Opening Night against the Mets on April 1 at Sun Life Stadium.
“I don’t know when he will be in a Spring Training game for us,” Rodriguez said. “We’re going to send him to play in Minor League games to get some at-bats.”
Stanton injured his quad in the Feb. 27 exhibition against the University of Miami at Roger Dean Stadium.
At the time, he projected he would miss at least two weeks. Now, it looks like he will need an extra week to recover.
Asked if he would be surprised if Stanton were playing in games next week, Rodriguez said: “I’d be surprised.”
With Stanton out, the Marlins are giving extra looks at Dewayne Wise, Scott Cousins and Bryan Petersen in the outfield.
New-look ‘pen is delivering desired results
JUPITER, Fla. — Upgrading the bullpen was a main mission for the Marlins in the offseason. So far, the newly added arms are delivering positive results.
The Marlins’ bullpen was much maligned in 2010, allowing a National League leading 25 blown saves.
The front office aggressively addressed the bullpen, making a couple of trades as well as signing free-agents. Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica were obtained from the Padres for Cameron Maybin. Mike Dunn was part of the Dan Uggla deal with Atlanta, and free agent Randy Choate was signed to a two-year contract.
“From my [standpoint], it’s shaping up pretty good,” manager Edwin Rodriguez said. “We’re going to be strong. We’re going to have a very, very, very good bullpen. Time will tell on how we’re going to be making the decisions.”
There are some decisions with numbers that have to be made.
The team likely will carry seven relievers. Leo Nunez is the closer, and Clay Hensley is the primary setup reliever. The team has stated it would like to carry two lefties. Dunn and Choate are the frontrunners.
Burke Badenhop is the leading long reliever. So Webb, Mujica and Brian Sanches, who is out of options, appear to be vying for two spots.
“It’s good to know we’re going to have very good options,” Rodriguez said. “How it shapes up? I don’t know.”
Webb is a hard thrower who has a strong chance to make the club. Mujica signed for $800,000 in his first year of arbitration.
“It’s like an NFL team having two starting quarterbacks,” Sanches said. “It’s good for the organization, but you’re going to have only one starter.
“I think the bottom line is, you’ve got to look at it as going out and doing your job. Using Spring Training to get ready for the season, just like I have been doing.”
There is still three-and-a-half weeks left in camp, and injuries and other issues still may factor into final decisions.
“It’s going to be fun to watch, these next three to four weeks,” Rodriguez said.
Coghlan scratched due to scheduling
JUPITER, Fla. — Chris Coghlan was scratched from the lineup shortly before Wednesday’s game against the Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium.
The reason Coghlan did not play was not injury related. It had more to do with scheduling.
After reviewing where he is, the Marlins decided to sit Coghlan on Wednesday, so he can play on Thursday and Friday. The idea is to get him playing in back-to-back games.
“It was just so we can play two, there isn’t anything serious,” Coghlan said. “I’ll be playing [Thursday] during the day game, and traveling to Port St. Lucie on Friday.”
Coghlan has been easing back from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He played back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday, but he didn’t make the trip on Tuesday to face the Tigers in Lakeland. Coghlan was scheduled to lead off as the designated hitter. DeWayne Wise played center field, and John Baker was the DH.
Worth noting
Alex Sanabia threw a bullpen session and felt fine on Wednesday. Sanabia had some soreness in his right elbow late last year, and he is working on some mechanical things off the mound. “I’m good and ready to roll,” Sanabia said. … Ricky Nolasco (right thumb) is on pace to make his first Grapefruit League start on Sunday.
“It’s more of an upper-class jog, I would say,” Stanton said. “It feels pretty good.”
Stanton is testing his leg by doing about six trots at 120 feet, and then walking back.
Manager Edwin Rodriguez hopes to have Stanton playing in Grapefruit League games about seven to 10 games before Opening Night against the Mets on April 1 at Sun Life Stadium.
“I don’t know when he will be in a Spring Training game for us,” Rodriguez said. “We’re going to send him to play in Minor League games to get some at-bats.”
Stanton injured his quad in the Feb. 27 exhibition against the University of Miami at Roger Dean Stadium.
At the time, he projected he would miss at least two weeks. Now, it looks like he will need an extra week to recover.
Asked if he would be surprised if Stanton were playing in games next week, Rodriguez said: “I’d be surprised.”
With Stanton out, the Marlins are giving extra looks at Dewayne Wise, Scott Cousins and Bryan Petersen in the outfield.
New-look ‘pen is delivering desired resultsJUPITER, Fla. — Upgrading the bullpen was a main mission for the Marlins in the offseason. So far, the newly added arms are delivering positive results.
The Marlins’ bullpen was much maligned in 2010, allowing a National League leading 25 blown saves.
The front office aggressively addressed the bullpen, making a couple of trades as well as signing free-agents. Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica were obtained from the Padres for Cameron Maybin. Mike Dunn was part of the Dan Uggla deal with Atlanta, and free agent Randy Choate was signed to a two-year contract.
“From my [standpoint], it’s shaping up pretty good,” manager Edwin Rodriguez said. “We’re going to be strong. We’re going to have a very, very, very good bullpen. Time will tell on how we’re going to be making the decisions.”
There are some decisions with numbers that have to be made.
The team likely will carry seven relievers. Leo Nunez is the closer, and Clay Hensley is the primary setup reliever. The team has stated it would like to carry two lefties. Dunn and Choate are the frontrunners.
Burke Badenhop is the leading long reliever. So Webb, Mujica and Brian Sanches, who is out of options, appear to be vying for two spots.
“It’s good to know we’re going to have very good options,” Rodriguez said. “How it shapes up? I don’t know.”
Webb is a hard thrower who has a strong chance to make the club. Mujica signed for $800,000 in his first year of arbitration.
“It’s like an NFL team having two starting quarterbacks,” Sanches said. “It’s good for the organization, but you’re going to have only one starter.
“I think the bottom line is, you’ve got to look at it as going out and doing your job. Using Spring Training to get ready for the season, just like I have been doing.”
There is still three-and-a-half weeks left in camp, and injuries and other issues still may factor into final decisions.
“It’s going to be fun to watch, these next three to four weeks,” Rodriguez said.
Coghlan scratched due to schedulingJUPITER, Fla. — Chris Coghlan was scratched from the lineup shortly before Wednesday’s game against the Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium.
The reason Coghlan did not play was not injury related. It had more to do with scheduling.
After reviewing where he is, the Marlins decided to sit Coghlan on Wednesday, so he can play on Thursday and Friday. The idea is to get him playing in back-to-back games.
“It was just so we can play two, there isn’t anything serious,” Coghlan said. “I’ll be playing [Thursday] during the day game, and traveling to Port St. Lucie on Friday.”
Coghlan has been easing back from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He played back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday, but he didn’t make the trip on Tuesday to face the Tigers in Lakeland. Coghlan was scheduled to lead off as the designated hitter. DeWayne Wise played center field, and John Baker was the DH.
Worth notingAlex Sanabia threw a bullpen session and felt fine on Wednesday. Sanabia had some soreness in his right elbow late last year, and he is working on some mechanical things off the mound. “I’m good and ready to roll,” Sanabia said. … Ricky Nolasco (right thumb) is on pace to make his first Grapefruit League start on Sunday.
