Scott Cousins still a possibility on Opening Day

The Marlins are still entertaining the possibility that Scott Cousins will be the Opening Day right fielder.

Marlins right fielder Cody Ross is still hanging on to the slimmest of hopes that his strained right calf will allow him to join the team for Opening Day against the Mets in Citi Field on Monday.

But if Ross isn't ready, his replacement will be Scott Cousins, who took the field for the Double-A Jacksonville Suns in an exhibition against the Marlins on Friday.

Cousins said he was told by team officials on Thursday morning to be ready to suit up for the big league club to start the season. After playing against Florida at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, he'll fly up with the team to Greensboro, N.C., after the game -- playing for the Grasshoppers -- and if Ross isn't ready to go, he'll be going up to Queens, N.Y., to play against the Mets.

Cousins said he was told the chances of him starting the year on the big league club are "very likely," and to "prepare my mind like I'm going to New York."

 

Should the Marlins decide to do this and also stick to their decision to keep Brian Barden and Mike Lamb on the 25-man roster, though I'm not sure how they will do it since neither Barden or Lamb is on the 40-man roster, then it means the Marlins will open the season with 13 position players and 12 pitchers.  Which is fine if it is only for five days or slightly more.  The Marlins have a day off on the second day of the season, but after that, they play 13 games in a row.  Now this may mean the front office believes the starters 3 through 5 will be able to go long into the games, and perhaps they will, but eventually it will become taxing on the bullpen.  If Cody can get back to form within 5 days, then great.  No problem.  Cousins goes down.

Eventually either Barden, my guess, or Lamb will be New Orleans bound soon there after.  The Marlins will add a pitcher eventually.  They will have to.