Results tagged ‘ Chris Volstad ’

Marlins lineup for Friday

It’s being tabbed as “Opening Night” and more than 40,000 is expected at Sun Life Stadium.

The Marlins open their three-game set with the Dodgers with Chris Volstad taking the mound against Hiroki Kuroda.

 

 

logo_la_79x76.jpg

 

 

 

 

1) Rafael Furcal, SS

manny-ramirez-blog.jpg2) Reed Johnson, RF

3) James Loney, 1B

4) Manny Ramirez, LF

5) Matt Kemp, CF

6) Casey Blake, 3B

7) Blake DeWitt, 2B

8) Russell Martin, C

9) Hiroki Kuroda, P

 

 

logo_fla_79x76.jpg

 

 

 

 

1) Chris Coghlan, LF

hanley-ramirez2q.jpg2) Cameron Maybin, CF

3) Hanley Ramirez, SS

4) Jorge Cantu, 3B

5) Dan Uggla, 2B

6) John Baker, C

7) Cody Ross, RF

8) Gaby Sanchez, 1B

9) Chris Volstad, P

 

– Joe Frisaro

 

Marlins roster set

With no more exhibition games to play, the Marlins on Saturday made their final moves to set their active and 40-man rosters.

Following an 8-7 loss to their low Class A Greensboro affiliate, the Marlins announced several transactions.

Outfielder Brett Carroll was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique. Carroll is on the DL, retroactive to March 26. Reliever Brian Sanches, who suffered a hamstring injury on Friday night, also will start the season on the 15-day disabled list.

The Marlins also selected the contracts of infielders Brian Barden and Mike Lamb. Reliever Jose Veras also had his contract selected.

These moves set the 25-man roster.

The 40-man roster also has been set, as right-hander Cristhian Martinez and outfielder Jai Miller were designated for assignment. The roster now is at 40.

The Marlins now head to New York to get ready for Opening Day on Monday against the Mets at Citi Field.

The team will work out at Citi Field at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

For now, outfielder Cody Ross is on the active roster. Ross, recovering from a mild right calf strain, is hopeful to be in the Opening Day lineup. As a precaution, outfielder Scott Cousins will also head to New York, just in case a last minute decision is made to place Ross on the disabled list.

The Marlins roster includes 13 position players and 12 pitchers.

The position players are: Ronny Paulino, John Baker, Gaby Sanchez, Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu, Hanley Ramirez, Chris Coghlan, Cameron Maybin, Ross, Wes Helms, Emilio Bonifacio, Barden and Lamb.

The pitchers are: Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad, Nate Robertson, Leo Nunez, Veras, Wood, Burke Badenhop, Clay Hensley, Renyel Pinto and Dan Meyer.

Designating Miller wasn’t completely unexpected. The Marlins Triple-A outfield will feature Bryan Petersen, Cousins and Jason Lane. And the organization has outfield depth at the Double-A level, with top prospect Mike Stanton in right field.

– 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-Nationals lineups

The Marlins and Nationals will square off on Tuesday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium. Chris Volstad and Garrett Mock will be the starting pitchers for the 1:05 p.m. ET contest.

 

logo_was_79x76.jpg

 

 

 

 

1) Nyjer Morgan, CF

Prezraces.jpg2) Cristian Guzman, SS

3) Ryan Zimmerman, 3B

4) Adam Dunn, 1B

5) Mike Morse, LF

6) Adam Kennedy, 2B

7) Ivan Rodriguez, C

8) Willy Taveras, CF

9) Garrett Mock, P

 

logo_fla_79x76.jpg

 

 

 

 

1) Chris Coghlan, LF

marlinschampring.jpg2) Cameron Maybin, CF

3) Dan Uggla, 2B

4) Mike Lamb, 3B

5) Ronny Paulino, C

6) Gaby Sanchez, 1B

7) Bryan Petersen, RF

8) Brian Barden, SS

9) Chris Volstad, P

– Joe Frisaro

 

Speculating on final roster

For weeks, Marlins coaches and officials have been evaluating. Now, the time is getting close to make the tough final decisions and set the 25-man roster.

Opening Day is a week away (April 5 at the Mets), and there are still some unanswered questions.

On Monday, the Marlins did settle who will be the starting first baseman. As expected, Gaby Sanchez was given the nod when Logan Morrison was reassigned to Minor League camp. Morrison will start off at Triple-A New Orleans. Don’t discount the 22-year-old making an impact at some point during the season. A year ago, Chris Coghlan was in Triple-A until May, and he went on to become the N.L. Rookie of the Year.

The rotation also has come together, with Clay Hensley securing the fifth spot.

Still to be resolved are at least one bench player, as well as a bullpen spot.

Over the past few days, Marlins personnel evaluators have been in Jupiter, consulting and meeting. Final moves can happen any day now.

While nothing has been officially announced, for recreational purposes, here is a look at how the 25-man roster may shake down. There are a few factors that will come into play, like how players fit into the 40-man roster. Currently, nine non-roster invitees are still in camp.

Again, this is for conversational purposes only, and not an officially announced 25-man squad.

Catchers: John Baker, Ronny Paulino

Infielders: Gaby Sanchez, Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Jorge Cantu, Wes Helms, Brian Barden, Mike Lamb

Outfielders: Chris Coghlan, Cameron Maybin, Cody Ross, Emilio Bonifacio

Starting pitchers: Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad, Clay Hensley

Bullpen: Leo Nunez (closer), Brian Sanchez, Jose Veras, Burke Badenhop, Tim Wood, Renyel Pinto, Dan Meyer

On this projected roster, there are four non-roster invitees who will have to be added to the 40-man roster — Hensley, Lamb, Barden and Veras. Currently, there are 37 on the 40-man. So that means, if they all make it, one current 40-man player would be removed.

The Marlins did clear a 40-man spot when pitcher Hayden Penn was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Monday.

Barden, Donnie Murphy and Hector Luna are are vying for a utility position. All three are non-roster invitees. Murphy has impressed several other teams who have been watching him in camp. But Barden may secure the job. Working in Barden’s favor is his ability to play shortstop defensively at a high level. Of all the players in camp, Barden appears to be the best insurance policy to Ramirez. Barden also can play left field.

Bonifacio, of course, is a natural middle infielder. For now, it looks like he will be used in a super utility role previously held by Alfredo Amezaga.

The Marlins appear to be leaning toward not carrying a primary backup outfielder. Bryan Petersen, a highly regarded prospect, has impressed. But he likely will be in Triple-A.

The Marlins don’t have the need for a regular outfield backup because the starters — Coghlan, Maybin and Ross — won’t be replaced for defensive purposes. Now, if there is an injury situation, the team would likely make a move to call up an outfielder. Brett Carroll, who will open the season on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, is an option once he is healthy. Jai Miller, Scott Cousins and Petersen (if he doesn’t make the team) are other choices.

Barden also gives some flexibility if the Marlins slide Cantu over to first base in the late innings. The Marlins could go with Barden or Helms at third, or use them as pinch-hitters. Lamb is expected to be the lefty bat off the bench.

Gaby Sanchez adds value in the fact he could be the emergency third catcher. This is important because it means either Baker or Paulino — the catcher who doesn’t start — could be used as a pinch-hitter.

The bullpen battles have been tightly contested all spring. Seth McClung, a non-roster invitee, has more big league experience than Wood. McClung alsohas a clause that allows him to opt out of his contract on April 1. Not being on the 40-man roster may work against McClung and for Wood.

If Wood makes the team, he would be a middle relief candidate. The hard-throwing right-hander has been impressive in camp, and his slider has improved.

Badenhop is a long relief, and spot starter candidate. He’s had a solid spring. Veras has been throwing 95 mph all spring, and he has big league experience in a setup role.

Much can still change in the next few days. But the picture of how the team may look is becoming a bit more clear.

– 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.

josh-johnson.jpgAce 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

 

Sim Game in the Rain

They started off throwing in a light drizzle. About 30 minutes later, when the conditions worsened under a steady rain, they were shut down.

Bottom line for Clay Hensley and Andrew Miller is they both got their work in on a day that didn’t seem possible.

hensley23ag.jpgWith the Marlins having their lone off day of Spring Training, Hensley and Miller were scheduled to pitch. Initially, they were called in on Monday to throw in a scrimmage on Field 2 of the Roger Dean Stadium complex.

Because of the rain, the scrimmage didn’t take place, and instead, the two threw to batters in a simulated game that lasted about 30 minutes. Batters were hitting under a cage, and the two pitchers dealt with messy conditions. There weren’t any fielders.

Hensley, a non-roster invitee, continues to improve his chances of winning a rotation spot. In three innings — including a four-out inning due to a low pitch count — he didn’t allow a run. Of his 32 pitches, 18 were for strikes.

On a couple of occasions the right-hander slipped after throwing a pitch. A sinker-ball pitcher, Hensley induced nine groundballs out of the 11 batters he faced. He struck out two. His fastball topped out at 88 mph, and he was mainly throwing in the 85-86 mph range. Velocity isn’t a major issue with him, as long as his sinker is breaking downward, which it has all camp.

“He commands all his pitches,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He’s putting himself into position where he can fill a role easy.”

The Marlins are looking for two remaining rotation spots. Miller and Hensley are candidates, along with Chris Volstad, Rick VandenHurk and Hayden Penn.

Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco have been named the Nos. 1 and 2 starters, and Anibal Sanchez is regarded as the No. 3 starter, although that hasn’t been announced. Volstad is a frontrunner to be the No. 4 starter.

Gonzalez added that Hensley, if he is not in the rotation, could still win a bullpen spot.

The left-handed Miller threw 43 pitches with 23 strikes, and he had four strikeouts and two walks in the sim game.

Miller’s velocity was 92-93 mph in wet conditions on Monday.

When they were done throwing on the field, Miller and Hensley threw some more pitches under a covered bullpen. 

Either Henlsey or Miller could start on Saturday against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium.

Johnson, meanwhile, will face the Mets on Friday at Roger Dean Stadium. Because Johnson will pitch against New York on the April 5 opener at Citi Field, the team doesn’t want to showcase him too much to the Mets before Opening Day.

The way Johnson’s rotation schedule is shaping up, however, he was in face them on Friday and on March 31 at Port St. Lucie.

Gonzalez said on Monday that Johnson will not face the Mets twice to close out Spring Training. But he will see them once, on Friday in Jupiter. On March 31, Johnson most likely will throw in a Minor League game.

Typically, in their last Spring Training appearance, starting pitchers have their pitch count scaled back to about three innings. Johnson threw 80 pitches on Sunday against the Nationals. He could go to about 100 pitches on Friday.

– Joe Frisaro

 

Lineups for Saturday in Viera

The Marlins take on the Nationals on Saturday afternoon at Space Coast Stadium.

Chris Volstad, looking to win a rotation spot, gets the start for Florida. John Baker is in the lineup, catching for the first time in a Grapefruit League game. Baker has been out with a strained right forearm muscle.

 

logo_fla_79x76.jpg

 

 

 

 

1) Chris Coghlan, LF 

billy.jpg2) Cameron Maybin, CF

3) Hanley Ramirez, SS

4) Jorge Cantu, 3B

5) John Baker, C

6) Gaby Sanchez, 1B

7) Brett Carroll, RF

8) Donnie Murphy, 2B

9) Chris Volstad, P

 

 

logo_was_79x76.jpg

 

 

 

 

1) Roger Bernadina, CF 

elephant-walk-2010-3.jpg2) Cristian Guzman, SS

3) Ryan Zimmerman, 3B

4) Adam Dunn, 1B

5) Josh Willingham, LF

6) Mike Morse, RF

7) Alberto Gonzalez, 2B

8) Wil Nieves, C

9) Garrett Mock, P

– Joe Frisaro

 

Traveling to Kissimmee

Hanley Ramirez has played in four straight games. Jorge Cantu has been in the lineup five straight.

With the Marlins traveling to Kissimmee on Wednesday to face the Astros, the two sluggers are getting the day off. Neither is making the trip.

Hayden Penn will be the starting pitcher against the Astros, with Chris Volstad entering in relief.

Some of the players on the travel squad will be: Dan Uggla, Wes Helms, Gaby Sanchez, Chris Coghlan, Brett Carroll, Scott Cousins, Mike Stanton, Jorge Jimenez, Emilio Bonifacio, Bryan Petersen, Matt Dominguez, Hector Luna and Mike Lamb.

– Joe Frisaro

 

Worth noting …

After 3-hours and 14-minutes on Saturday, the Marlins ended their day on a high when Hector Luna lifted a walk-off single over a drawn-in Cardinals outfield.

With the bases full, Luna did his job. The 28-year-old waited on a pitch to drive and he did just that. The winning RBI gave the Marlins a 6-5 win over the Cardinals.

Luna is in Marlins camp on a Minor League contract, and he is competing for a utility spot. He’s played second base and first base thus far in the Spring. And in his career, which has included stints with the Cardinals, Indians and Blue Jays, he has also played shortstop and third base.

“He’s a professional. He’s been around,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

A year ago, Luna was with Triple-A Albuquerque in the Dodgers’ system.

“He had a great year in Triple-A last year and the Dodgers, for whatever reason, he didn’t get a call up,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve seen him do that to us many times, obviously, playing him here in Spring Training and over the course of many seasons. He was a big part of that Cardinals organization for many years.”

Hensley impresses: Brian Sanches was a surprise addition to the Marlins bullpen after the 2009 season began. Sanches didn’t make Florida’s Opening Day roster, but when he was called up from Triple-A New Orleans, he became a valuable part of the bullpen.

Could Clay Hensley be the Sanches of 2010?

The 30-year-old right-hander last pitched in the big leagues for the Padres in 2008. He was with New Orleans last year, and he had a pretty solid season — 9-4 with a 3.56 ERA in 25 games with 20 starts.

On a Minor League contract, Hensley threw three scoreless innings on Saturday, striking out four.

Hensley offers the flexibility to start or relieve.

“He’s pitched in the big leagues. He’s got three or four pitches,” Gonzalez said. “He commands all of them. He knows how to pitch. He’s an interesting guy. He really is. He can do whatever. He can be a long guy, or he can be a sixth starter, if he doesn’t make the club out of the Spring.

“He can be a guy in Triple-A, and you don’t worry about him coming up. For me, he pitched three solid innings, and did very well.”

Upcoming rotation: The Marlins on Sunday face the Cardinals again at Roger Dean Stadium. Sean West will start, and worked about two innings. Also slated to go are Andrew Miller, Daniel Jennings and Jose Ceda.

On Monday, the Marlins have a split-squad day.

Ricky Nolasco will start against the Nationals in Viera. 

At Roger Dean Stadium, the Marlins made a switch. Ryan Tucker will start against the Mets. Initially, The team had gone back and forth about whether to go with Tucker or bring Rick VandenHurk back on earlier rest. 

The Marlins on Tuesday will face the Red Sox in Jupiter. Former Boston prospect Anibal Sanchez will start, and VandenHurk will pitch in relief. Kris Harvey, Tim Wood, Sanches, Renyel Pinto and Leo Nunez are lined up that day, too.

And Wednesday, when the Marlins travel to Kissimmee to face the Astros, Hayden Penn will start. Chris Volstad will enter in relief, as will Jay Voss and Brett Sinkbeil.

– Joe Frisaro

« older posts | back to blog home | newer posts »
Theme: MLB “pro” | Get a free blog at WordPress.com
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 59 other followers