"He's a big piece for us and we can use him anywhere, really," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

--RHP Rick VandenHurk and LHP Taylor Tankersley will not be available to the Marlins when the rosters expand Monday.

VandenHurk is out for the year after breaking his thumb on Aug. 17 while attempting to bunt. Tankersley also last pitched on Aug. 17 before being shut down because of a sore right elbow.

Both were pitching for Class AAA Albuquerque.

--OF Cameron Maybin, the organization's center fielder of the future, suffered an usual injury. He was bitten in the face by a spider and has not played since Thursday. Maybin was taken to the hospital to treat an infection.

--Minor league RHP Alfredo Buret was suspended 50 games for violating baseball's drug program. Buret, who plays in the Dominican Summer League, tested positive for a metabolite of Boldenone.

BY THE NUMBERS: 12 -- Florida's home-run ranking among NL teams since the All-Star break (35 in 36 games) through Aug. 24, after Florida led the league in the first half with 135 home runs in 95 games.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's just frustrating that we're going through this and the two top teams are playing well and winning ballgames." -- 1B Mike Jacobs, after the Marlins lost their fourth game on last week's road trip while the Mets and Phillies won.