--UT Alfredo Amezaga (sprained left knee) began a rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter on Thursday, going 1-for-3. He is expected to play two more games for Jupiter before rejoining the Marlins on Sunday.

--The Marlins had their first of two early off days Thursday (they're off again Monday), which is allowing them to open the season with a four-man rotation. RHP Anibal Sanchez, the No. 4 starter, makes his debut Friday against the Mets before No. 1 starter RHP Ricky Nolasco and RHP Josh Johnson pitch the next two games.

LHP Andrew Miller, the No. 5 starter, will make his first start April 15. Miller's last day of availability from the bullpen will be Saturday.

--RHP Kiko Calero has been nothing short of impressive since arriving with the Marlins. After allowing just three hits over 10 scoreless innings in spring training, he has struck out four over 2 2/3 hitless and scoreless innings in two games this season.

--3B Emilio Bonifacio is off to a pretty good start with the Marlins: 8-for-14 (.571) with six runs, four RBIs and four stolen bases.

--1B Jorge Cantu is the fifth player in Marlins history to hit home runs in each of the first two games of a season. The others were Derrek Lee (three straight in 2002), Eric Owens (2001) and Jeff Conine (1994 and 1995).

Cantu left Wednesday's game two innings after being struck in the left hand by a fastball. X-rays were negative. Cantu -- 4-for-9 with two home runs -- expects to play Friday after Thursday's off day.

--C Ronny Paulino will start Sunday against LHP Johan Santana. Paulino has made one start this year, against LHP Scott Olsen on Tuesday, and he went 2-for-3 with a double and triple. He is batting .360 (94-for-261) in his career against lefties.

"Sometimes those numbers don't lie," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

--OF Brett Carroll won a roster spot because he hit well over .300 during Grapefruit League play, but his biggest skill is his defense, which saved a win Wednesday. Carroll made the last out of the game with a diving catch of Austin Kearns' sinking line drive with the bases loaded. Florida won 6-4.

--The Marlins have won their first three games of the season, with a 6-4 victory Wednesday that completed a sweep of the Nationals. The last time the Marlins got off to a 3-0 start was 1997, when they went on to win the World Series.

--RHP Matt Lindstrom converted his first save of the year Wednesday but didn't have an ideal debut. He threw 32 pitches, walking a batter with the bases loaded, before hanging on to finish off Washington in Florida's 6-4 win. Lindstrom missed the last part of spring training with a strained right rotator cuff.

--UT Ross Gload made his first start for the Marlins, playing right field Wednesday and going 1-for-4. The versatile left-handed hitter moved to left field and then to first base in the same game.

MEDICAL WATCH:

1B Jorge Cantu (sore left hand) left the April 8 game after being hit by a pitch. X-rays were negative, and he hopes to play April 10.

RHP Scott Proctor (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27.

INF Alfredo Amezaga (sprained left knee) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter on April 9, and he could rejoin the Marlins on April 12.

RHP Rick VandenHurk (inflamed right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 28.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Ricky Nolasco

2. RHP Josh Johnson

3. RHP Chris Volstad

4. RHP Anibal Sanchez

5. LHP Andrew Miller

BULLPEN:

RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer)

RHP Leo Nunez

RHP Logan Kensing

LHP Renyel Pinto

RHP Kiko Calero

LHP Dan Meyer

RHP Hayden Penn

LINEUP:

1. 3B Emilio Bonifacio

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. CF Cameron Maybin

RESERVES:

1B Wes Helms

C Ronny Paulino

OF Brett Carroll

1B/OF Ross Gload

INF Andy Gonzalez