--Manager Fredi Gonzalez will open the 2009 season with some security after agreeing Feb. 14 to a two-year extension running through 2011. "It was a really, really tough negotiation," Gonzalez joked. "Jeffrey (Loria, Marlins owner) came in, he offered me the extension, and I don't think I let him finish the sentence. I said, 'Yes, I want it. I want to be here for a long time and bring a championship.'"
--SS Hanley Ramirez said he added 20 pounds of bulk over the winter in a workout program that also included daily swimming drills. Ramirez, who has battled a nagging left shoulder, said he wants to do something he has never done in his three seasons -- play in all 162 games. --RHP Scott Proctor looked good in his first week of spring throwing sessions since undergoing elbow surgery in October. "He has thrown all of his bullpen, and he has thrown all of his batting practices. So far I have not seen any setbacks," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
--RHP Jose Ceda has been held back from drills for the first week because of discomfort in his right shoulder. Ceda, obtained from the Cubs for RHP Kevin Gregg, is expected to start the season in the minors.
BY THE NUMBERS: .268 -- Hanley Ramirez's batting average last year while hitting third.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It was by far probably not the toughest night of my life. Hanging out with two sick kids by yourself, taking care of them. That's way harder." -- 2B Dan Uggla, on his three errors and three strikeouts in the 2008 All Star Game.
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