Fish Bites: Miami Marlins' Tom Koehler earns final rotation spot

2014 Miami Marlins Preview: Jose Fernandez, Young Pitchers Key to Future Success - Marlin Maniac - A Miami Marlins Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More
Instead I want to think about how the future becomes the present, that is to say how the Marlins rotation that will be their key to success in 2014 came to be. Not just how the Marlins came to acquire these players, but also how they came to play professional baseball in the first place.

Marlins Latest Cuts Include Solano and Bogusevic - Marlin Maniac - A Miami Marlins Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More
As the Marlins continue to trim the roster to the MLB maximum of 25, a few more players were casualties on Thursday morning. The most notable of those players were Donovan Solano and Brian Bogusevic. Both players were precariously hanging on to spots on the roster anyway, but if you look at their pasts, you can make a case that these cuts were a little surprising.

JUPITER: Power returns for healthy Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton - Miami Marlins - MiamiHerald.com
Steve Cishek has developed a wealth of knowledge when it comes to mammoth Giancarlo Stanton home runs. After all, in the Marlins bullpen he has one of the best seats around to see where most of them land.

LAKE BUENA VISTA: Nate Eovaldi ready to go as Miami Marlins’ No. 2 starter - Miami Marlins - MiamiHerald.com
Skipper Mike Redmond said the Marlins won't formally announce the rest of their starting rotation — or other remaining roster moves — until left-hander Brad Hand makes his final start of the spring on Thursday against the Cardinals. There is little doubt, however, who will get the ball the day after 21-year-old reigning National League Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez pitches against the Rockies on Opening Night. Nathan Eovaldi has been in line for the No. 2 starter's job all spring.

Miami Marlins believe ex-Pirate Garrett Jones can protect... | www.palmbeachpost.com
on’s inconsistent production and outspoken personality, they searched for a first baseman who could give slugger Giancarlo Stanton some protection in the lineup. Miami used eight different first basemen in 2013 and had 17 home runs from its cleanup hitters, tied for second fewest in the majors. As a result, Stanton was pitched around often as the No. 3 hitter.

Miami Marlins: Greg Dobbs ready to resume quest for 100 career pinch hits - Sun Sentinel
Greg Dobbs had logged just 13 Grapefruit League at-bats before quad and back issues sidelined him earlier this month. Monday, it didn't appear Dobbs was starting over in his preparation for the regular season. The Marlins' primary left-handed bat off the bench, Dobbs in a minor league game Monday morning played first base and each of his four at-bats culminated in a well-struck ball. He lined out to left, singled to center, lined out to first and flew out to the warning track in right.

Miami Marlins: Bullpen coming into focus after Caminero's surprise demotion - Sun Sentinel
The Marlins made the first of what figure to be a week's worth of tough decisions Tuesday, optioning big-armed reliever Arquimedes Caminero to Triple-A New Orleans. Based on his major league debut last September and his Grapefruit League numbers this month, Caminero seemed like a safe bet to open the season in the Marlins' bullpen. A shell-shocked Caminero said the Marlins told him they were happy with his performance, but they didn't specify a reason for the demotion.

Marlins hitting coach seeks more offensive punch - Sun Sentinel
The Marlins weren't just bad in 2013, they were historically bad. Miami scored a total of 513 runs in 162 games — 340 less than the league-leading Boston Red Sox. They were the only team in the major leagues to hit fewer than 100 home runs, and they hit a league-worst .231 throughout the season. Enter first-year hitting coach Frank Menechino, who has been given the task of turning around this Marlins offense in 2014. Hired by the Marlins last October, Menechino immediately went to work, trying to learn his new team.

Lucas struck by pitch, sustains hand fracture | marlins.com: News
Marlins infielder Ed Lucas sustained a fracture to his left hand after being struck by a pitch on Thursday in Miami's 6-4 win over the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium.

Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez hopes to help Jason Motte strike out cancer | marlins.com: News
Jose Fernandez is no stranger to strikeouts. The hard-throwing right-hander possesses an upper 90-mph fastball, and at the age of 21, he's already established himself as one of the dominant pitchers in the game. As a rookie last year, Fernandez set a Marlins rookie strikeout record with 187. As he embarks upon his sophomore season, the right-hander is teaming up with the Jason Motte Foundation to help strike out cancer.

Marlins finalize rotation for start of '14 season | marlins.com: News
Everything fell in line this spring regarding the Marlins' rotation, and there are no surprises with the final outcome. The way manager Mike Redmond and pitching coach Chuck Hernandez set the order the first week of Spring Training games is how they will stack up when the season starts on Monday against the Rockies at Marlins Park.

For Marlins to take next step, it starts with team concept | marlins.com: News
Changing direction in 2014 is going to take a group effort for the Miami Marlins. The message has been preached repeatedly throughout Spring Training. Marlins players, coaches and staff regularly sport "All-In" T-shirts. The front office stresses the importance of "buying in," because without everyone pulling it together, it's not going to work. Chemistry counts.

Around The League

Reyes, Encarnacion cleared to play | bluejays.com: News
Jose Reyes and Edwin Encarnacion have both been cleared to play in this weekend's upcoming two-game series against the Mets in Montreal.

Bradley loses bid for rotation, sent to Triple-A | dbacks.com: News
The D-backs reassigned top prospect Archie Bradley to Minor League camp Thursday, ending his bid to win a spot in the starting rotation.

Lester officially given Opening Day start | redsox.com: News
With the decision all but official for weeks, John Farrell finally announced on Thursday that Jon Lester will be the Opening Day starter in Baltimore on Monday. "I know, it is earth-shattering," joked Farrell.

Source: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers close to extension | MLB.com: News
Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers have spent the past couple of days closing in on a long-term extension to keep the two-time American League Most Valuable Player in Detroit, a source with knowledge of the talks told MLB.com.

At Fish Stripes

Donovan Solano and Ed Lucas compete for final remaining roster spots - Fish Stripes
While the Marlins' 2014 campaign is about to commence, there remains a few holes in the team's big league club. One of those areas stands in the middle infield. Minor league journeymen Donovan Solano and Ed Lucas stands as the two best options.

Fish Stripes 2014 Marlins Season Preview: A.J. Ramos - Fish Stripes
The latest Fish Stripes 2014 Marlins Season Preview talks about one new addition with firebablling strikeout capabilities and an incumbent crafty righty with high strikeout numbers as well. How will Carter Capps and A.J. Ramos fare in 2014?

Fish Stripes 2014 Marlins Season Preview: Rest of the bullpen - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins appear to have their bullpen situation set. What can the Fish expect out of Henry Rodrgiuez, Kevin Slowey, and Brad Hand in 2014?

Fish Stripes 2014 Marlins Season Preview: Pitcher and overall review - Fish Stripes
Fish Stripes completed reviewing all of the expected players on the 2014 Miami Marlins. Now that that is complete, what can we expect of the Fish this upcoming season?

Spring Training 2014: Marlins cut roster to 27, Rafael Furcal to DL - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins have made another in a final series of roster cuts to bring the team's numbers down to 27 before the March 31 Opening Day game. Rafael Furcal will not be there, as he will be on the disabled list to start the year.tom