Shortstop Hanley Ramirez returned to the Marlins on March 12 after the Dominican Republic was ousted from the World Baseball Classic, and the timing was perfect.
A day earlier, the Marlins learned versatile utility player Alfredo Amezaga would be out four to six weeks with a left ankle sprain. Amezaga, a natural infielder, was set to win a roster spot as a backup outfielder. But his injury opened up the competition for bench spots. Now, the Marlins will give two infielders -- Robert Andino and Emilio Bonifacio -- a chance to win roster spots as outfielders.
Andino played five innings in the outfield last year. Bonifacio played outfield during winter ball. They started taking pregame drills in the outfield on March 11 because manager Fredi Gonzalez plans to give them playing time this spring in the outfield.
"Worst-case scenario, one of those guys can be Amezaga -- 'Amezaga Lite,'" Gonzalez said, repeating a reporter's suggested label. "They can help us with the outfield or the infield.
"The great thing about Alfredo is he's such an above-average defender in both places, and I don't know if those two guys could be above-average defenders in the outfield. I know in the infield they're above average, but the big question we need to find out is if they can do that in the outfield. It gives us some flexibility."
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