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1. RHP Ricky Nolasco
2. RHP Josh Johnson
3. RHP Chris Volstad
4. LHP Andrew Miller
5. RHP Anibal Sanchez
ROTATION ANALYSIS: The top three starters have looked solid most of the spring, with Nolasco minimizing his walks, Johnson throwing his pre-Tommy John-surgery mid-90s, and Volstad discovering his changeup. All three are poised for double-digit wins and 200 innings. The other two starters are big question marks.
Miller hasn't consistently kept runners off base. Sanchez got better as the spring went on, but he showed an knack for collapsing in the fourth and fifth innings. The team won't need a fifth starter until April 18 because of early off days, making it likely that Sanchez will open the season in the bullpen.
BULLPEN:
RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer)
RHP Leo Nunez
RHP Logan Kensing
LHP Renyel Pinto
RHP Kiko Calero
LHP Dan Meyer or LHP John Koronka
RHP Burke Badenhop or RHP Carlos Martinez or RHP Hayden Penn
BULLPEN ANALYSIS: There was a chance the team would open the season without Lindstrom and RHP Scott Proctor. Lindstrom (sore right rotator cuff) could miss only a week, but Proctor (sore right elbow) is likely out until May. For a team with such a promising rotation, the bullpen is a real concern. The Marlins lack a bona fide situational left-hander. Kensing, Calero and Badenhop have pitched well, and Nunez and Pinto have looked OK. Three spots were open heading into the final week of spring training.
LINEUP:
1. CF Cameron Maybin
2. C John Baker
3. SS Hanley Ramirez
4. 1B Jorge Cantu
5. 2B Dan Uggla
6. RF Cody Ross
7. LF Jeremy Hermida
8. 3B Emilio Bonifacio
LINEUP ANALYSIS: Maybin was bunting for singles this spring. Baker was hitting well. Ramirez, batting just .100 through March 27, still must prove he can hit as well in the third slot as he did as a leadoff hitter. Bonifacio could bat first with Maybin hitting second. Uggla and Ross each seem primed for 30-homer seasons.
RESERVES:
1B Wes Helms
OF/INF Alfredo Amezaga
C Ronny Paulino
OF Brett Carroll
1B/OF Ross Gload
RESERVES ANALYSIS: Amezaga missed a few weeks this spring because of a sprained left knee, and when he does return, he may not be his old self right away. Other than that, the Marlins should have a strong bench led by Helms, who was 13-for-41 (.317) as a pinch hitter in 2008. Carroll hit well all spring. Newly acquired Paulino will be the backup catcher.
ROOKIE WATCH: CF Cameron Maybin could be the most-watched rookie in the NL this year after hitting .500 last September and keeping his average above .300 most of the spring.
MEDICAL WATCH:
INF Alfredo Amezaga (sprained left knee) missed most of March because of an injury sustained in the World Baseball Classic. He was questionable for the start of the season.
RHP Matt Lindstrom (sore right rotator cuff) was taken out of the World Baseball Classic because of shoulder discomfort. He was hoping to resume Grapefruit League action by April 1 and open the season with the team on time.
RHP Scott Proctor (right elbow soreness) made one spring appearance, Feb. 27, before being shut down. He underwent surgery in October to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow.
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