Bullpen jobs still up for grabs as Marlins trim roster
PORT ST. LUCIE— Four players with major league experience were packing their bags, saying farewells and walking out of the Miami Marlins’ clubhouse toward uncertain baseball futures Tuesday morning.
The final week of spring training is bittersweet, with some players realizing big league ambitions while others’ dreams are dashed, or at least delayed.
As Marlins manager Don Mattingly pointed out this week, goodbye doesn’t necessarily mean forever when teams set their rosters for the season.
Don’t say finalize, because rosters will remain in flux throughout the season. Many of the players who are shipped out this week will be summoned back in the months ahead.
Young right-handers Jose Urena and Nefi Ogando, both optioned Tuesday to the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate in New Orleans, are in the category.
Even veterans Don Kelly and Justin Maxwell, who exercised options to become free agents in order to shop for jobs elsewhere, could end up re-signing with the Marlins and accept assignments in the minors with the hope of later getting called to Miami.
“One thing I’ve learned from managing, you’re trying to make sure you’re ready for what could happen, all the depth issues of your club,” Mattingly said of the considerations that go into roster decisions beyond the 25 players that start the season.
“Everybody wants to leave camp on the team. Guys are competitive, they want to be that guy on Opening Day. … Still, whoever doesn’t win that spot, it’s still a matter of we’re going to need that guy. In five days from then you can be right back up, not knowing what can happen to anyone.”
After Tuesday’s moves, the Marlins still have 10 players to shed before opening the season against the Tigers on April 5.
Mattingly said most players have been told if they are on the club or will start the season in the minors, though the moves may not be made until after this weekend’s exhibitions against the Yankees at Marlins Park.
Exceptions are players such as outfielder Cole Gillespie and left-hander Brad Hand, who are out of options that would enable them to be returned to the minors without being exposed to claims by other teams.
“There’s not a lot to tell those guys because they’re still battling for spots,” Mattingly said. “Those guys are in a different category, and that kind of goes down to the wire for us.”
The main area of uncertainty is the bullpen, where a couple of jobs are still up for grabs.
A rainout Monday in Viera meant veteran lefthander Chris Narver son had to endure long bus rides on consecutive days before making a start vital to his hopes of winning one of those spots.
Narveson was with the Marlins part of last season, going 3-1 in 15 appearances, but he’s in camp as a nonroster invitee. He didn’t hurt has chances of nabbing a big league contract Tuesday against the Mets, allowing two singles and a walk in three scoreless innings of a1-0 victory.
Hand, Dustin McGowan and Cody Ege, also in the running for bullpen openings, each tossed a scoreless frame.
“You want everybody to do really well and make it really hard on us to make a decision,” Mattingly said. “At that point you try to make the best one, and hopefully you get it right.”
The back of the bullpen is set with closer A.J. Ramos, Mike Dunn and Bryan Morris. David Phelps and Edwin Jackson appear on track for relief roles, although both can also start.
Mattingly said he favors pitchers who are similarly versatile for the other two openings.
“I cherish that role because you’ve got to have people who can throw whenever,” Narveson said. “You prepare yourself mentally. I pride myself on that so when I go out there I’m ready for whatever role it is.”
Narveson, 34, was a promising starter with the Brewers earlier in his career before a series of injuries, but he’s been healthy the past two years.
“I know I can pitch in the big leagues. I’ve done it for a while,” said Narveson, who can opt out of his contract Thursday if he’s not assured of a job with the Marlins. “You’re preparing yourself for Miami. That’s the mindset that you have to take.”
Close call
Right-hander Tom Koehler said he was fine a day after getting struck just below his right elbow by a comebacker while pitching in aminor league game. He said the ball hit the nerve, giving the effect of a jolt to the funny-bone area. No Xrays were taken, and he said therewas no swelling.
Koehler is on schedule to pitch the third game of the season at Washington. He said he could have continued pitching had it been a regular game.
Koehler said he was relieved to avoid the misfortune of former Marlins infielder Ed Lucas, who at the end of spring training in 2014 fractured his hand when hit by a pitch a few hours after learning he had made the Opening Day roster.
“You want everybody to get theirwork in and get out of here healthy,” Koehler said.“But things do happen. I’m just fortunate that nothing bad necessarily happened.”