Marlins may go with a four-man rotation to open

by craig on Mar 12, 2008 8:19 AM EDT in News and Rumors

The Marlins are seriously considering starting the season using a four-man rotation.

A couple of early-season days off has Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez leaning towards going awhile with a four-man rotation.
"I'd like to go with four, and keep those guys on schedule," Gonzalez said.

Because of off-days on April 3 and April 8, the Marlins wouldn't need a fifth starter until April 13 at Houston.

If this plan comes to fruition, the Marlins will open the season with four starters, eight relievers and thirteen position players.

Going with four starters may not be such a bad thing considering the Marlins may only have four starters ready to go.

With three weeks left in spring training, the Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that two key starters won't be ready when the season starts.

Left-hander Scott Olsen (left shoulder tendinitis) and right-hander Sergio Mitre (right forearm strain) both threw off a mound Tuesday, significant steps in their attempt to return. Olsen is considered to be ahead of Mitre in terms of recovery, but the Marlins aren't counting on Olsen yet to be ready for the season opener on March 31.

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"They need a little bit more time," pitching coach Mark Wiley said. "We'll see how they feel tomorrow but we're not going to throw them right into anything." Meanwhile, Gonzalez mentioned three possible opening-day starters: Mark Hendrickson, Ricky Nolasco and rookie Andrew Miller, who survived a shaky first inning Tuesday in Florida's 7-6 win against the Dodgers.

After the coaches watched the bullpen session yesterday, they are a little more cautious about the timeframe for Olsen returning.

Olsen and Mitre, more or less, will take the day off today to see how their respective arms feel after going through yesterday's session. If there isn't any pain then they will throw off the mound again on Thursday.

Should neither be ready for opening day, I would guess the honors will fall to either Hendrickson or Nolasco. Given the way Miller has thrown this spring (10 walks, 2 hit batsmen in 13 innings) I doubt he will get the call.

As Mbaamin said, and I paraphrase, Miller probably should open the season in the minors to work on his control. But unfortunately the Marlins won't have that option. If Olsen and Mitre are not ready by April 13 then the rotation will probably include two of the following: VandenHurk, Volstad or Hernandez. And at least one of them will probably open the season in the rotation.

Miller, VandenHurk, Volstad and Hernandez would all be better served beginning the season in the minors, sadly, the Marlins don't have that luxury.

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