Lindstrom hasn't pitched competitively since March 15 when he was taken from the WBC game with shoulder soreness. He insists he's ready to pitch the ninth inning Monday.

Lindstrom, who converted all five save chances last September, took over the job held last year by Kevin Gregg, who was traded to the Cubs in order to shed salary. Gonzalez said Lindstrom will not enter the game in the eighth inning and finish the ninth, as Gregg did last year.

The Marlins had bullpen issues all spring. Thanks to two off days in the first two weeks of the season, they'll go with a four-man rotation and eight relievers. Andrew Miller will initially pitch long relief before joining the rotation for his first start April 15.

THE MARLINS WILL CONTEND IF ...: RHP Matt Lindstrom's sore right rotator cuff heals when the season starts and doesn't act up. RHP Anibal Sanchez and LHP Andrew Miller can pitch as well as the top three right-handers have looked this spring. SS Hanley Ramirez and 2B Dan Uggla improve their defense, which looked shaky this spring (nine combined errors through March 26). There's talent here, but the postseason might be one more year away.

PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON: CF Cameron Maybin looks like a more polished and confident player this spring than he did last March. He is recognizing pitches better and using his speed to bunt for singles. He looks as if he's ready to build off his hot September, when he was called up from Class AA and went 16-for-32.

ON THE DECLINE: LHP Andrew Miller went 6-10 with a 5.87 ERA last season while battling a sore knee. The team started working with him in October on a new delivery, but the results this spring haven't been encouraging. His knee has felt fine and he has found success with the changeup, but he allowed runs in the majority of his Grapefruit League innings.