http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/conten...rlins_0307.html

 

JUPITER ? Manager Joe Girardi said Robert Andino and Hanley Ramirez are both playing so well this spring that the starting shortstop job might not be answered until the end of camp.

 

But he said there's no plan to move one of them to second base.

 

"It's unfair at this point to ask one of them to play second because they're both playing so well,'' he said. "(Shortstop) is where they have the most experience. The idea was to let them fight it out. Let's let them fight it out, and we'll go from there.''

 

Dan Uggla, who is considered a defensive project, is in line to win the second base job after the Marlins cut Pokey Reese from the team.

 

Reese left camp without telling the team, and his contract was terminated Sunday. Girardi said Monday the team still hasn't heard from Reese.

 

Lenny Harris started at second base Monday. He hasn't played second base in a regular-season game since 2001 when he played one game there for the Mets.

 

Pitcher not hitting: Marlins pitchers have yet to swing a bat in a Grapefruit League game, and they probably won't until at least March 15.

 

"That's the first time I've ever seen that,'' Harris said before Monday's game, the third in a row in which the Marlins used a designated hitter while playing a National League team.

 

Usually, National League teams use the DH when playing in an American League park. But the Marlins have asked their opponents for permission to use the DH in the first two weeks of spring action.

 

"Let's let the pitchers concentrate on pitching for a while and then we'll get them their at-bats,'' Girardi said. "We're going to do it until about March 15. Pitchers are getting plenty of batting practice, but we can't win if they don't get people out.''

 

Pitcher excused: Right-handed pitcher Allen Baxter has been excused from camp for personal reasons. Baxter hasn't appeared in any games this spring.

 

Red Sox sold out: The only tickets left for Wednesday's Marlins-Red Sox game are for 200 berm seats that will go on sale at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the box office.

 

Gates will open at 11 a.m., and Roger Dean Stadium officials are advising fans to arrive early to avoid traffic delays on Interstate 95. Parking will be available in the stadium's main grass lot, the parking garage across the street from the stadium and parking garages across from the Cardinals' clubhouse.

i am really disappointed that pokey isnt with the team anymore. i really wanted to see him play for us knowing that he has the glove and experience to help others out on the team. but family is very important.

 

the job is hanley's to lose, andino had the chance last year to win it all but he struggled and just hadnt taken the command that the marlins have wanted to see from him. but i wouldnt rule anything out, if hanley was to struggle u could see andino back in the mix.

last year we had Alex Gonzalez at shortstop