JUPITER, Fla. -- Dontrelle Willis' first appearance as a Marlin came two springs ago in an exhibition against the University of Miami.

Now an established starter in the Marlins rotation, Willis on Tuesday will meet the Miami Hurricanes once again.

 

On Friday, manager Jack McKeon announced the D-Train will start Tuesday's exhibition against the Hurricanes at 3:05 p.m. ET at Roger Dean Stadium.

 

"He's ready," McKeon said. "We want to get our four guys out there, and he's ready to go."

 

Willis has come a long way since he opened the spring season in 2003 as a highly-regarded prospect who never pitched above Class A.

 

"It was big just because I was the only non-starter guy on the field," Willis said. "It was an honor because of that. It was fun. But as far as baseball, it is always fun if I have to face Miami or Atlanta. It doesn't matter. It's always good to be out there competing."

 

At least for the first few rotation swings in Spring Training, the Marlins will go with a four-man rotation. Willis, the 2003 National League Rookie of the Year, is expected to throw about 50 pitches against the Hurricanes.

 

Aiming to build up the starters, Willis, Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Al Leiter will work on three days' rest for a couple of times through the rotation. Fifth starter Ismael Valdez will ease in gradually after that.

 

The Marlins open their Grapefruit League schedule on Wednesday against the Dodgers in Vero Beach. Either Beckett or Burnett will go that day.

 

Willis says it's getting to the point where it's fun for the games to get ready to begin.

 

"It's the time to get working on what you need to be working on, which is game speed," Willis said. "That's the key. The hitters will definitely tell you what you need to work on. And it's always good to face the opposition to give you a feel of what's coming ahead."

 

Intrasquad games: Weather permitting, the Marlins will play two intrasquad games on Sunday and Monday.

 

Sunday's scrimmage is a spring season-ticket holders event, and it is not open to the general public. The contest will be played at Roger Dean Stadium.

 

Monday's scrimmage is open to the public, free of charge, on Field 2 at the Roger Dean Stadium complex.

 

In both scrimmages, mostly non-roster invitees and young prospects will be playing.

 

The Marlins added the scrimmages to get work for the 36 pitchers in camp. Because of the high volume of pitchers, finding playing time will be difficult once the spring games begin next week.

 

Rainy Friday: Friday morning showers caused the Marlins to alter their workouts.

 

Rather than go on the fields, pitchers and hitters did their work in the covered batting cages. Some of the mounds are covered, too.

 

"You don't like to have these days, but it's something you can't control," McKeon said. "The only thing this does is mess your pitchers up. These days, you've got to improvise."

 

McKeon repeatedly says Spring Training is designed to strengthen the pitchers. Position players need less time -- about two weeks -- to get ready.

 

Greetings from Broken Arrow: Brad Penny may no longer be a Marlin, but another Broken Arrow, Okla., product could be in line to eventually win a rotation spot.

 

Like Penny, who was traded to the Dodgers last July, prospect Josh Johnson is a hard-throwing Oklahoman.

 

Johnson, a 6-foot-7, 220-pounder, is from Tulsa, and his brother was a teammate of Penny's at Broken Arrow High School. Michael Johnson was a sophomore when Penny was the star pitcher for Broken Arrow.

 

"I've know about Brad since I was about 10," Josh Johnson said. "Back home, everybody knows Brad Penny."

 

Drafted in the fourth round of 2002, Johnson heard immediately from people back home that he could be in line to follow Penny.

 

A couple of years ago, Johnson met Penny during a minor league game in Jupiter. Then, Penny was bothered by a biceps problem and he pitched a rehab assignment.

 

When Penny walked into the dugout, he blurted out to the minor league pitchers: "Which one of you is from Tulsa?"

 

Johnson raised his hand.

 

While it's early in Spring Training, Johnson is making a name for himself. He's throwing well, turning the heads of Marlins executives. He is slated to open the season at Double-A Carolina.

 

Ticket update: Tickets remain for all Marlins spring games at Roger Dean Stadium. However, there are only a limited about of seats for the March 9 contest against the Red Sox.

 

Seats are being held back for those who still purchase spring season tickets. Marlins tickets are available at floridamarlins.com.

 

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...5news&fext=.jsp

Intrasquad games: Weather permitting, the Marlins will play two intrasquad games on Sunday and Monday.

 

Sunday's scrimmage is a spring season-ticket holders event, and it is not open to the general public. The contest will be played at Roger Dean Stadium.

 

In both scrimmages, mostly non-roster invitees and young prospects will be playing.

 

The Marlins added the scrimmages to get work for the 36 pitchers in camp. Because of the high volume of pitchers, finding playing time will be difficult once the spring games begin next week.

 

 

 

Do they mean season ticket holders for ST or the Regular season?

Im going out on a limb and saying its for "spring season-ticket holders"