Marlins opening day starter still not announced

by craig on Mar 19, 2008 7:13 AM EDT in News Comment 0 comments

For whatever reason(s) Fredi has yet to announce the opening day starter. Not that it is such a big deal at this point in time.

''No news -- I'm not going to announce it just yet,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said early Tuesday, a day after he said he would reveal his starter for the Marlins' March 31 game against the Mets. ``Right now it's not a good time.

``We'll announce it later on -- later on today, later on tomorrow, later on in the spring. Before opening day, though, it will be announced.''

Mark Hendrickson, the 6-9 left-hander formerly of the NBA, was slated to start Tuesday, but Gonzalez said he wasn't waiting for the outing. Gonzalez also said pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Scott Olsen would pitch Thursday, one after another, but they're performance also wasn't a factor.

``Don't read between the lines, Gonzalez said.

Fine, no problem. We can wait.

But there was an interesting comment as to who could be the opening day starter by Joe Frisaro.

There also is the possibility the Marlins will make a trade for a starting pitcher before the opener, which creates more questions. The team has a number of arbitration-eligible players after the 2008 season, including first baseman Mike Jacobs.

Mr. Frisaro being a beat reporter rarely, if ever, gives unsubstantiated opinion to how the Marlins plan to proceed. And the possibility that the team is seriously considering a trade in order to fill the number one slot in the rotation, is news to me.

It doesn't mean it will happen, but if the front office is considering it, there is something more iffy about, at least one, of this year's possible starters. And I mean besides the fact some are rehabbing or the team not wanting to start the clock on a Double-A pitcher.