Results tagged ‘ Anibal Sanchez ’
Robertson starting Thursday
Looking to get Nate Robertson into the rotation earlier, the Marlins made the move on Sunday to start the left-hander on Thursday in Game 3 of the season. Robertson will face the Mets in New York, instead of throwing on Saturday as originally slated.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez made the announcement on Sunday. Anibal Sanchez, who was lined up to pitch on Thursday, now becomes the fifth starter. Sanchez will start either on Saturday or Sunday at home against the Dodgers.
Chances are it will be Sunday.
Josh Johnson, the Opening Day starter, probably will pitch on his normal fifth day. The Marlins have flexibility with Saturday’s start because they are off on Tuesday. The off day means Johnson could pitch in two of the team’s first five games.
Robertson is the lone lefty in the Marlins rotation, and he will split up the four right-handers.
– Joe Frisaro
VandenHurk, Wood optioned
Shortly after the Marlins beat the Nationals, 9-5, on Tuesday, the Marlins made a roster move that completes how the pitching staff will shake down.
Rick VandenHurk and Tim Wood were each optioned to Triple-A New Orleans. VandenHurk will be in the New Orleans rotation, while Wood will pitch in relief.
The transactions came a few hours after Florida obtained lefty Nate Robertson from the Tigers in exchange for lefty prospect Jay Voss.
The starting rotation will be — Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad and Robertson.
Clay Hensley is making the team as a long reliever, instead of the fifth starter.
Barring any other moves, the bullpen will feature: Leo Nunez, Brian Sanches, Jose Veras, Renyel Pinto, Dan Meyer, Burke Badenhop and Hensley.
– Joe Frisaro
Marlins acquire Robertson from Tigers
It appears a left-hander will be in the Marlins rotation after all.
On Tuesday the Marlins finalized a trade with the Tigers that returns left-hander Nate Robertson to Florida for lefty prospect Jay Voss.
Robertson, 32, went 2-3 with a 5.44 ERA with the Tigers in 2009, appearing in 28 games with six starts.
This will be Robertson’s second stint with the Marlins. Drafted in the fourth round by Florida in 1999, he made his MLB debut with the club in 2002, appearing in six games.
The Marlins traded Robertson to the Tigers in 2003 as part of the Mark Redman trade. The deal helped Florida win the 2003 World Series, because Redman was a big part of the rotation.
Redman went 14-9 with a 3.59 ERA in 29 starts for the Marlins in their title season.
Before being finalized on Tuesday, the Robertson deal first had to receive the approval of the commissioner’s office, because more than $1 million was being exchanged.
Robertson is signed for $10 million this season.
The left-hander has appeared in six Grapefruit League games for the Tigers, with three starts. He’s 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA, with 19 strikeouts and seven walks in 19 2/3 innings. He had been in competition for a
rotation spot with Dontrelle Willis and Jeremy Bonderman.
In 202 MLB games, Robertson has made 169 starts over eight seasons.
Robertson would be the lone left-hander in Florida’s rotation.
The rotation had been shaping up to feature Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad and Clay Hensley.
– Joe Frisaro
Marlins-Mets lineups for Monday
On a wet afternoon, the Marlins and Mets are taking the field at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie.
Anibal Sanchez and Jon Niese are the starting pitchers.

1) Bryan Petersen, RF
2) Cameron Maybin, CF
3) Hanley Ramirez, SS
4) Jorge Cantu, 1B
5) Dan Uggla, 2B
6) John Baker, C
7) Hector Luna, 3B
8) Brian Barden, LF
9) Anibal Sanchez, P

1) Angel Pagan, LF
2) Alex Cora, 2B
3) David Wright, 3B
4) Daniel Murphy, 1B
5) Jeff Francoeur, RF
6) Gary Matthews Jr., CF
7) Henry Blanco, C
8) Ruben Tejada, SS
9) Jon Niese, P
– Joe Frisaro
Rotation shaping up
No official word has been made yet regarding the Marlins rotation, but if the next week’s schedule of games means anything, the candidates are already lined up.
The Marlins on Sunday are starting Ricky Nolasco against the Astros at Roger Dean Stadium. On Monday, Anibal Sanchez will face the Mets in Port St. Lucie. Chris Volstad will throw on Tuesday in Jupiter against the Nationals.
Ace Josh Johnson will take the mound on Wednesday at Port St. Lucie against the Mets. On Thursday, Clay Hensley will start in the final Grapefruit League contest, facing the Cardinals.
Nolasco will pitch against Double-A Jacksonville in Jacksonville. Sanchez gets the call on Saturday afternoon at low Class A Greensboro.
If this order stays in tact, which is expected, the rotation for the first week of the season will be:
April 5 at Mets: Josh Johnson
April 7 at Mets: Ricky Nolasco
April 8 at Mets: Anibal Sanchez
April 9 vs. Dodgers: Opening Night at Sun Life Stadium — Chris Volstad
The April 10 starter will be up on the air. It’s the first Super Saturday of the season, and a big crowd will be on hand.
Because the Marlins are off on April 6, Johnson would be available to face the Dodgers on April 10. The team is being flexible with that date. If Johnson has a non-taxing season opener at the Mets, he could come back and pitch. But if Johnson’s pitch count is high in the opener, and he had some stressful innings, he may instead pitch on Sunday, April 11 against the Dodgers.
How Johnson is will determine when Hensley would pitch. If Johnson pitches on April 10, Hensley would throw on Sunday. Hensley would be the option to throw on April 10 if Johnson throws on Sunday.
– Joe Frisaro
Lineups vs. Twins
The Marlins face the Twins at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers on Wednesday.
Anibal Sanchez is making the start for Florida, while Kevin Slowey is taking the mound for Minnesota.

1) Emilio Bonifacio, LF
2) Cameron Maybin, CF
3) Hanley Ramirez, SS
4) Jorge Cantu, 3B
5) John Baker, DH
6) Dan Uggla, 2B
7) Ronny Paulino, C
8) Brett Carroll, RF
9) Logan Morrison, 1B

1) Jacque Jones, RF
2) Alexi Casilla, SS
3) Jason Kubel, LF
4) Justin Morneau, 1B
5) Michael Cuddyer, CF
6) Jim Thome, DH
7) Brendan Harris, 3B
8) Wilson Ramos, C
9) Matt Tolbert, 2B
– Joe Frisaro



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