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: --LHP Andrew Miller went on the 15-day disabled list after his start Monday night because of a strained right oblique. Miller allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings in Florida's 8-0 loss in Pittsburgh, which snapped the Marlins' seven-game winning streak and was Florida's first loss since April 11.
Miller said he has felt the discomfort since a relief appearance April 11 but thought it had gradually felt better until Monday.
--1B Jorge Cantu was scratched from the starting lineup Tuesday because of a sore left wrist. It's unclear if the wrist discomfort is related to the soreness in his left hand that forced him out of the lineup April 14 in Atlanta, on the first game of the road trip.
Cantu was hit by a pitch on the back of the hand April 8. He came out of that game two innings later. He missed action on April 12, the last game of Florida's recent homestand that was followed by an off day.
Ross Gload was in the lineup at first base and batting fourth.
--The Marlins have allowed opponents five stolen bases in nine attempts. The Pirates stole three on Monday, the most against Florida in any single game this year.
All were stolen against C John Baker and LHP Andrew Miller, who must improve in holding runners on base.
"He was concentrating so much on throwing strikes that he wasn't paying attention, and that happens," Baker said. "They just got some good reads and they took advantage of us."
--LHP Ryan Tucker, a first-round pick in 2005, had surgery Tuesday on his left knee. He'll be out at least two months. Tucker, currently on the Class AAA AAA New Orleans roster, went 2-3 with an 8.27 ERA in 13 games for the Marlins last year.
MEDICAL WATCH:
1B Jorge Cantu (sore left wrist) was scratched from the lineup April 21.
LHP Andrew Miller (strained right oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list April 21. 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
RHP Burke Badenhop
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
