Notes: Mitre making his bid

Right-hander hoping strong spring solidifies spot in rotation

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

Sergio Mitre made 21 appearances, including seven starts, for the Cubs last season. (Bob Jordan/AP)

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JUPITER, Fla. -- There are very few guaranteed spots in Marlins camp. But the way Sergio Mitre is throwing, it will be tough to keep the right-hander out of the rotation.

In facing a Cardinals lineup that included David Eckstein, Jim Edmonds, Scott Spiezio and Admin Bigbie on Wednesday, Mitre yielded one run on two hits over a spring-high five innings.

 

The game ended in a 2-2 tie after 10 innings.

 

In three Grapefruit League outings, including two starts, Mitre has a 1.80 ERA. The lone run he allowed to St. Louis came on Bigbie's chopped RBI single to right field over a drawn-in infield after Spiezio doubled.

 

After that, Mitre struck out Gary Bennett and Junior Spivey to end the frame.

 

Obtained from the Cubs as part of the Juan Pierre trade, Mitre has battled all spring, and his experience with Chicago is showing.

 

"He's been a starter most of his career, but in Chicago, because of the depth in their rotation, he pitched out of the bullpen," Marlins manager Joe Girardi said. "He has looked very good in Spring Training. He is in the mix, along with a few other guys, but he continues to impress us."

 

Competing for a spot is something Mitre welcomes.

 

"I feel good physically and mentally," the right-hander said. "I've got to keep throwing and having good outings, and everything will take care of itself."

 

Asked if he feels he deserves a rotation spot, Mitre said: "That's up to the staff. I can only take care of what I'm doing. It's up to us [the contending starters] to make it hard for them."

 

Because the Marlins have their one Spring Training off-day scheduled on March 20, the day Mitre is next slated to start, he will stay on schedule by throwing to Triple-A hitters in Jupiter.

 

Roster moves: Seven pitchers were optioned to the Minor Leagues on Wednesday, including Anibal Sanchez and Renyel Pinto.

 

The Marlins optioned left-hander Adam Bostick and right-handers Sanchez and Scott Tyler to Double-A Carolina. Pinto, a left-hander projected to start, was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Optioned to Class A Jupiter were right-handers Jesus Delgado, Harvey Garcia and Jose Garcia.

 

"They did everything we asked them to," Girardi said. "These guys need innings. You see their faces when you tell them -- this is not the part of the job you enjoy."

 

Acquired from the Red Sox, Sanchez entered Spring Training expecting to battle for a rotation spot. However, the right-hander experienced tightness in his right shoulder the first week of camp, and he has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game.

 

On Thursday, Sanchez is expected to throw live batting practice. Because Sanchez was so far behind the other pitchers, the team wants him to build up innings in the Minor Leagues without feeling the pressure of having to impress Girardi in a short period of time.

 

"He's not going to get the innings he needs to get," Girardi said. "He's a starter, and he's behind. I told him, 'It's kind of a speed bump. When you had that injury, it was a speed bump. You're the one who determines when you're going to get back.' ... He's not ready enough to compete as a starter."

 

 

Cabrera to return: Now that Venezuela has been eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, two-time All-Star Miguel Cabrera is expected to return to Marlins camp in a day or two.

 

With the Marlins at the Dodgers in Vero Beach, Fla., on Thursday, Cabrera wouldn't make that trip anyway. The team also will be on the road Friday, visiting the Red Sox in Fort Myers, Fla.

 

Girardi said the earliest Cabrera would be back in the lineup is Saturday, in a game against the Yankees at Roger Dean Stadium.

 

"He's played in some intensity-filled games, and he will fit right in," Girardi said of the return of his power-hitting third baseman.

 

Nolasco solid: Ricky Nolasco continues to steadily make progress. The right-hander, who is opening eyes as a starting candidate, tossed four scoreless innings on Tuesday in a split-squad game against the Nationals.

 

Starting for the Marlins in Viera, Fla., Nolasco yielded two hits and walked two. Florida rallied in the late innings for a 2-1 win. Nolasco threw 52 pitches and is in line to pitch again on Sunday.

 

"I thought I used my fastball good. I got some outs with my fastball with two strikes," Nolasco said. "That's something I've been trying to work on. I got some key double plays to get some outs. My defense helped me out. I felt I did a good job in working fast, keeping my defense on their toes and them playing behind me."

 

Nolasco also gained some insights from watching Washington starter Livan Hernandez.

 

"One thing, for sure, is he stresses the fact that command is the most important part of pitching," Nolasco said. "He's not up there throwing hard. He's mixing up pitches and keeping guys off balance. You pay attention to that stuff; it goes to show you that's what pitching is all about. It's not about throwing 100 mph."

 

The way Nolasco is pitching, he's making a case to win a rotation spot. In three games, with two starts, he hasn't given up a run in 8 2/3 innings.

 

"Everything we've seen from him this spring has been positive," Girardi said. "These guys are making it really hard on me."

 

Trade possibilities? The Marlins are in the market for an outfielder who can either play left field or center field.

 

For months, there have been conversations with the Devil Rays regarding center-field speedster Joey Gathright. The Marlins, however, don't seem interested in parting with Scott Olsen or Josh Johnson, two of their frontline starting pitcher prospects.

Along with talks involving Tampa Bay, the team has expanded its focus. With limited dollars to spend, Florida is looking for affordable players without much service time but who have a high upside. For the right fit, the club would part with some young pitching.

 

The Marlins appear ready to go with Reggie Abercrombie in either left field or center field.

 

One potential trade option is with the Yankees for backup Bubba Crosby.

 

Girardi, formerly the Yankees bench coach, is familiar with Crosby, who can play center

 

Some more good news regarding Olsen and our other starting pitchers.

For months, there have been conversations with the Devil Rays regarding center-field speedster Joey Gathright. The Marlins, however, don't seem interested in parting with Scott Olsen or Josh Johnson, two of their frontline starting pitcher prospects.

 

I, for one, like to see articles like this. I don't wan't to see either Olsen or JJ traded for Gathright. The Devil Rays can still get a quality pitching prospect for him plus maybe a PTBNL, but just not Johnson or Olsen.

For months, there have been conversations with the Devil Rays regarding center-field speedster Joey Gathright. The Marlins, however, don't seem interested in parting with Scott Olsen or Josh Johnson, two of their frontline starting pitcher prospects.

 

I, for one, like to see articles like this. I don't wan't to see either Olsen or JJ traded for Gathright. The Devil Rays can still get a quality pitching prospect for him plus maybe a PTBNL, but just not Johnson or Olsen.

 

Word

Now we are talking sense...People were talking about Gathright as if he were the next Lou Brock or Vince Coleman. besides speed he has yet to show a whole lot more...Don't get me wrong I hope he is great but Tampa Bay hasn't seen it in him either...I just hope it wouldnt be a Nolan Ryan for Jim Fregosi type of trade

I'll take Crosby.