MIAMI — As an organization, the Marlins have added another veteran right-handed reliever.

David Aardsma, released by the Yankees on April 4, has signed a Minor League deal with Miami. The 31-year-old himself broke the news on Saturday via his Twitter account.

Aardsma, who had Tommy John surgery in 2011, will join Triple-A New Orleans.

With Seattle, he combined for 69 saves in 2009-10.

A first-round pick of the Giants in 2003, the right-hander made his MLB debut in 2004. He has spent parts of seven seasons in the big leagues, where he has logged 266 2/3 career innings.

In 2012, he made one appearance with the Yankees. In Spring Training with New York, Aardsma threw in eight Grapefruilt League games, posting a 3.52 ERA in 7 2/3 innings.

– Joe Frisaro

MIAMI — The time may be right for the Marlins to follow a growing MLB trend. Being shut out four times in their first nine games suggests it. But more importantly, the direction the club is heading increases the need for another set of eyes and insights.

A number of teams have already added a second hitting coach. Perhaps the Marlins should join the list.

To make this perfectly clear, this suggestion is not in any way being critical of Tino Martinez, Miami’s first-year hitting coach. It’s just that so much is on the plate for any one hitting coach in terms of the demands on his time, and his resources.

Martinez is in the cages with players a couple of hours before batting practice begins on the field. And he has to break down video and work with each individual.

When it comes to the Marlins, there is even a bigger issue at play. The team has so many young, unproven players. This isn’t a veteran club, like the Yankees, who have established players with long big league track records. Players with histories of knowing how to work through struggles may not need as much hands-on attention.

Young teams do.

The Marlins staff is being asked to teach, instruct as well as strategize. With developing so much a part of their job description, it would be in the best interests of all involved to bring in another coach.

The bullpen coach basically is a second pitching coach. Why not the same philosophy with hitting?

If you are looking for an example of where two hitting instructors is working, check out the Cardinals. John Mabry is the hitting coach, and Bengie Molina is the assisting hitting coach.

The topic of two hitting coaches was discussed on MLB Network Radio on Friday during their “Ripken Baseball” show.

St. Louis slugger Matt Holliday was a guest and he gave his endorsement — pointing out a second opinion often is helpful. Holliday also noted that hitting coaches spend so much time in the batting cages that they often are stretched thin.

In the case of the Cardinals, they break it down even more. You have two former big leaguers as hitting coaches, and each one batted from a different side of the plate. You have the left-handed hitting Mabry and right-handed hitting Molina offering two perspectives.

If you look at the Marlins lineup, you have so much inexperience. Even Giancarlo Stanton, the team’s top offensive threat, has less than three years of big league service time. And you have youngsters like Adeiny Hechavarria, Donovan Solano and Rob Brantly who have yet to play a full season in the big leagues.

Again, this isn’t to say that Martinez can’t handle the job by himself. But there is precedent for another voice.

If a classy-club like the Cardinals see benefit, why not the Marlins?

– Joe Frisaro

MIAMI — A number of young Marlins hitters should be paying close attention to Placido Polanco.

During a rough start, especially offensively, Polanco is an example to follow.

The 37-year-old has been Miami’s best hitter early, and he is doing so batting in an unfamiliar spot. Manager Mike Redmond has asked Polanco to bat fourth, not so much as a power threat, but as seasoned contact-hitter who can offer some protection behind Giancarlo Stanton.

In Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Braves, Polanco had two hits — a double and RBI single. On Wednesday, he led off the second inning with a double off Mike Minor.

Polanco’s RBI single in the eighth inning off lefty Eric O’Flaherty is something the young Miami players should take notice.

What was his approach to shortening his swing and poking the pitch to right field?

“Each at-bat is different. Each pitcher is different,” Polanco said. “You have to make adjustments. I have in mind what he throws, and go with the pitch. It just depends. This guy [O'Flaherty] has a very good sinker. If you try to pull it, you are going to roll it over. Chances are, I’d roll over it. So I really tried to go the other way. It paid off.”

Were the rest of the young hitters watching?

– Joe Frisaro

MIAMI — Until he finds a combination that clicks, Marlins manager Mike Redmond will keep scrambling up his lineup.

He did it once again on Wednesday, putting together his ninth different lineup in nine games. Chris Valaika is getting the start at first base, giving Greg Dobbs a breather.

Atlanta is going with lefty Mike Minor and the Marlins are off on Thursday, so the left-handed hitting Dobbs is getting a couple of days off in a row.

The Marlins are off to a rough 1-7 start after dropping the first two against the Braves.

Atlanta has certainly had Miami’s number the past two seasons. In 2012, the Braves won the season series, 14-4.

Going back to last year, when the Marlins finished 69-93, they had a trouble winning any series. They have won one of their last eight series, taking two of three from the Mets, from Oct. 1-3.

MARLINS

1) Pierre, LF
2) Solano, 2B
3) Stanton, RF
4) Polanco, 3B
5) Ruggiano, CF
6) Olivo, C
7) Hechavarria, SS
8) Valaika, 1B
9) Sanabia, P

– Joe Frisaro

MIAMI — The bottom line is Kevin Slowey is 0-2 in his two starts. But if you dig deeper, the reality is, the veteran right-hander has given an injury-plagued Marlins’ rotation a big boost.

Slowey has come up big in both of his starts, even if he has two losses to show for it.

On Monday night, he was on the short-end of a hard-luck, 2-0 loss to the Braves. But he gave his team seven solid innings, giving up two runs. In his first start, he worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run at Washington.

If Slowey continues to pitch like this, it’s a matter of time before some breaks go his way. Right now, he’s been one of the pleasant surprises in a season off to a rough start.

Keep in mind, Slowey made the team as a non-roster invitee who was in Spring Training on a Minor League contract.

One reason he signed with the Marlins was because of his familiarity with manager Mike Redmond. The two were teammates in Minnesota, and Redmond happened to catch Slowey’s first big-league start.

“When I talked to him this winter, he said he was healthy, and he was feeling good,” Redmond said. “I just told him, I said, ‘Hey, just because I caught you, you’re going to have to earn this. You’re going to have to come in and you’re going to have to pitch, and earn your way on this team.’ He’s done that.”

Slowey is re-engerizing his career, after he didn’t pitch in the big leagues in 2012. But dating back to 2011, he’s now lost 10 straight. In fact, the right-hander last won on Sept. 18, 2010 at Oakland.

In recent years, he has deal with right biceps soreness and an abdominal strain. And in 2009, he had right wrist surgery.

“I told him, when you’re healthy, and you don’t over-think,” Redmond said. “He’s a smart guy. ‘If you don’t over-think situations and execute your pitches, then you’re going to be fine.’ He has been. He’s been great. He’s been aggressive. He’s pounded the strike zone, and kept guys off-balance. He’s been a nice addition to this pitching staff.”

A veteran on a youthful team, Slowey is staying upbeat.

“I firmly believe things will break for us,” he said. “I know that I was able to see guys all through spring, so it’s not a small sample size for me. Maybe as it is for some of the people watching the games at home. We have talented guys in this clubhouse.”

TUESDAY LINEUP

1) Pierre, LF
2) Coghlan, CF
3) Stanton, RF
4) Polanco, 3B
5) Dobbs, 1B
6) Solano, 2B
7) Brantly, C
8) Hechavarria, SS
9) LeBlanc, P

– Joe Frisaro

MIAMI — Two home runs total during the first road trip confirmed what the Marlins already know.

This is not a power team, which increases the importance of manufacturing runs.

Six games, of course, is a small sample size. But here is what the numbers reflect heading into Miami’s home opener. The team has 14 runs total, which ranks 12th in the 15-team National League.

The Marlins have seen their hits totals pick up, as they have 50, which is eighth in the NL. In terms of doubles, they rated eighth. They have yet to hit a triple, and their two homers place the team 13th in the NL in that category.

Without serious power, the Marlins are going to need to generate more hits and walks, and capitalize on other team’s defensive mistakes.

The team batting average is .258, which rates eighth in the league. But their .332 slugging percentage is 11th.

A positive is the Marlins, for the most part, are putting the ball in play. They have a combined 40 strikeouts, which is 13th. So only two teams have struck out less.

Now, it’s time to see how the offense performs at home, in spacious Marlins Park. While it isn’t an ideal home run park, there should be opportunities to collect plenty of hits, and with the wide open gaps, some doubles and triples.

Monday lineup:

1) Pierre, LF
2) Polanco, 3B
3) Stanton, RF
4) Dobbs, 1B
5) Ruggiano, CF
6) Brantly, C
7) Hechavarria, SS
8) Solano, 2B
9) Slowey, P

– Joe Frisaro

NEW YORK — To celebrate his first big league win as a manager, Mike Redmond on Friday night was toasted in the manager’s office at Citi Field.

To honor the occasion, Redmond, his staff and the front office sipped on Moet & Chandon champagne following the Marlins’ 7-5 win over the Mets.

When Redmond arrived back at the team hotel, he also was treated to a more modestly-priced meal.

“I went back and had a gyro on the street, from one of the street vendors, so it was a big night, all and all,” Redmond joked. “It was really good. I think I’m paying for it today.”

Thrilling for the 41-year-old Redmond, the youngest manager in the National League, was the fact his wife, Michele, sons Michael and Ryan, along with his mother, were at the ballpark. Redmond’s family lives in Spokane, Wash., where it is spring break.

“Celebration for me was having my kids here, my mom and my wife,” the first-year manager said. “To get that first one out of the way, it was good for all of us to help us relax and settle in.”

On Saturday morning, while Redmond was addressing the media before the game, bench coach Rob Leary presented Redmond with the lineup card from Friday’s first win.

“I’ve had a lot of great experiences in baseball throughout my career as a player,” Redmond said. “That’s definitely one I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

MARLINS

1) Pierre, LF
2) Polanco, 3B
3) Stanton, RF
4) Dobbs, 1B
5) Ruggiano, CF
6) Olivo, C
7) Hechavarria, SS
8) Solano, 2B
9) Nolasco, P

METS

1) Baxter, RF
2) Murphy, 2B
3) Wright, 3B
4) Davis, 1B
5) Buck, C
6) Duda, LF
7) Nieuwenhuis, CF
8) Tejada, SS
9) Niese, P

– Joe Frisaro

NEW YORK — There is never a dull moment on the 7 Train. Friday night didn’t disappoint.

After the Marlins beat the Mets 7-5, the train ride back into Manhattan was full of entertaiment. It was mainly provided by a guy named, Matt, who clearly has gymnastic skills.

In a Matrix moment, Matt decided to show off.

– Joe Frisaro

NEW YORK — Marlins manager Mike Redmond is still searching for his first win.

The Marlins were swept in three games at Washington, and now they take on the Mets in the first of three games at Citi Field on Friday night. Alex Sanabia makes his first big league start since 2011.

MARLINS

1) Juan Pierre, LF
2) Placido Polanco, 3B
3) Giancarlo Stanton, RF
4) Greg Dobbs, 1B
5) Justin Ruggiano, CF
6) Rob Brantly, C
7) Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
8) Donovan Solano, 2B
9) Alex Sanabia, P

METS

1) Valdespin, CF
2) Murphy, 2B
3) Wright, 3B
4) Davis, 1B
5) Byrd, RF
6) Duda, LF
7) Buck, C
8) Tejada, SS
9) Hefner, P

– Joe Frisaro

NEW YORK — For much of Spring Training, Kyle Skipworth made a case to be on the Marlins’ Opening Day roster. Although he was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans last Saturday, the 23-year-old catcher is now headed to the big leagues.

The Marlins are calling the left-handed hitting catcher up to replace Casey Kotchman, who on Friday is being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

- Joe Frisaro