Marlins bullpen coming into focus

Most of the slot for the Marlins bullpen are set, sorta.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he wants to break camp with 12 relievers. If the season started today, he said six of his seven relievers would be Leo Nunez, Dan Meyer, Brian Sanches, Jose Veras, Burke Badenhop and Renyel Pinto.

That leaves one spot still open, and it likely would go to a pitcher who could also spot start.

"Things can change with trades, waiver-wire acquisitions," Gonzalez said, "but as of today you got Pinto, Meyer, Nunez, Sanches, the Hopper, Veras – I like his stuff. So, I leave one spot."

He said Mike MacDougal and Seth McClung are in the mix for that last spot along with Tim Wood and Chris Leroux.

I think Fredi meant to say, the Marlins will carry 12 pitchers on the roster.  If the Marlins are looking for a veteran reliever the nod who probably go to MacDougal, he has had the better spring and he has closer experience.  If they are looking to save money, Wood has had the better spring of the internal candidates.

Of course, this brings up the starting rotation.  JJ, Nolasco and probably Anibal are locks.  After that it is between Volstad, VandenHurk and Hensley.  If Volstad or VandenHurk don't make the rotation they will probably be optioned to the minors so they can pitch everyday.  Now, as for Hensley, it is possible they would consider him for the bullpen slot, as kinda an insurance policy, should one of the starters falters.  But then again, that is what the Hopper does, so maybe not.

Anyways, the smoke is starting to clear.