Caminero, Lara worth watching in Spring

JUPITER, Fla. — The Marlins’ closer of the future just might already be in camp.

Not that Steve Cishek isn’t capable of securing the spot for years to come. But if he struggles, a candidate down the line to close is Arquimedes Caminero.

Keep an eye on the 25-year-old in Spring Training. Caminero stands 6-foot-4, 245-pounds, and he is the hardest thrower on the team. Last year, the right-hander was clocked between 94-99 mph. That was coming off Tommy John surgery in the first half of the 2011 season.

Before surgery, the Dominican Republic native topped 100 mph. He mixes in a split-finger fastball and a slider.

If he shows he is ready, the Marlins would not hesitate to carry him on the Opening Day roster.

In the Minors last year, he struck out 44 in 38 1/3 innings.

Another candidate to win a bullpen spot is lefty Braulio Lara, another hard-thrower from the Dominican Republic.

Lara is a Rule 5 pickup off Tampa Bay’s roster.

Like Caminero, Lara is a hard thrower. His fastball ranges 96-98 mph. He has a chance to be a lefty specialist.

– Joe Frisaro