The Marlins are off to a hot start because they are getting contributions from virtually everyone on the team. On April 18, they used 18 players, including every position player, to defeat the Nationals 9-6. "Empty the bench is my philosophy," said manager Fredi Gonzalez. "I try to match up and put guys in the best situations. You hate to go back to the hotel or back to the house and say I didn't use my best pinch hitters in the right situations."
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Matt Lindstrom converted his third save chance Sunday, making him 3-for-4. That's encouraging for a guy who's still not throwing at full strength. Lindstrom missed most of spring training with a sore right rotator cuff, and the team only started using him in consecutive games last week.
"Going back-to-back has proven to us that he's OK. He's getting there. Is he 100 percent? I don't know but he sure is bouncing back every time we run him out there," said manager Fredi Gonzalez.
Gonzalez estimated that Lindstrom would be at full strength by May 1.
--Emilio Bonifacio singled in the first inning Monday night for his first hit since the first inning Wednesday. He'd gone 19 at-bats and 21 plate appearances without a hit.
--C Ronny Paulino made his first trip back to Pittsburgh since he was traded after the 2008 season. He'll probably start Wednesday when the Marlins face LHP Paul Maholm.
Paulino, a career .361 hitter against lefties, is batting .333 with a homer and 4 RBI in six games for the Marlins. More important he has made a quick adaption to the pitching staff after coming to the Marlins in a trade from San Francisco on March 27.
"I really have been pleasantly surprised the way he has been able to handle the game plan with the pitchers and the way he studies the opponents," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He's got a pretty good idea on the way he wants to pitch people."
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Andrew Miller (strained right oblique) was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 20. The injury is not believed to be serious.
RHP Scott Proctor (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He won't return before mid-May.
RHP Rick VandenHurk (inflamed right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 28.
ROTATION:
RHP Ricky Nolasco
RHP Josh Johnson
RHP Chris Volstad
RHP Anibal Sanchez
BULLPEN:
RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer)
RHP Leo Nunez
RHP Logan Kensing
LHP Renyel Pinto
RHP Kiko Calero
LHP Dan Meyer
RHP Hayden Penn
CATCHERS:
John Baker
Ronny Paulino
INFIELDERS:
1B Jorge Cantu
2B Dan Uggla
SS Hanley Ramirez
3B Emilio Bonifacio
1B/3B Wes Helms
1B/OF Ross Gload
UT Alfredo Amezaga
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Jeremy Hermida
CF Cameron Maybin
RF Cody Ross
OF Brett Carroll
