JUPITER, Fla. (AP) - Anibal Sanchez will be on the mound for the Florida Marlins' Grapefruit League opener on Wednesday, and catcher John Baker is excited to see what the right-hander can do.
"He was kind of throwing a little bit at the end of the year and thinking it might hurt," Baker said. "That's a tough mental obstacle to overcome, coming off of surgery. He has had time to prepare himself better. He feels better and he'll believe in himself more. It'll be fun to see him Wednesday."Sanchez, who threw a no-hitter as a rookie in 2006, made his 2008 debut on July 31 after recovering from right shoulder surgery. He finished 2-5 with a 5.57 ERA.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez announced Sunday that Sanchez would start the first spring game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
"I don't care if it's the first, second or third game. I just want to be ready for the season," said Sanchez, who missed spring training last year.
Either Ricky Nolasco or Josh Johnson is expected to start when the Marlins host Washington on opening day on April 6. Both right-handers will throw at least one inning Tuesday in an intrasquad game.
Sanchez, who went 10-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 2006, is expected to get the fourth or fifth spot in Florida's rotation.
"He's healthy. He's good to go," Gonzalez said.
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