http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/conten...rlins_0324.html

 

JUPITER ? The Marlins might have a solution for their surplus of potential starting pitchers: open the season with six for five slots.

 

"It's possible we could take more than five starters,'' manager Joe Girardi said Thursday.

 

It's also possible that one of those starters could be dangled in a trade for an outfielder.

 

But Girardi said he wants to avoid the risk of overworking his young pitchers. One way to assure that would be to have the younger starters occasionally skip a turn.

 

"It helps if you have maybe a few more starters than a normal club would have,'' he said. The extra starter could go to the bullpen in long relief or work as a spot starter "where you skip a guy if he needs to iron something out.''

 

The Marlins will try that plan tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Vero Beach by having right-hander Ricky Nolasco work out of the bullpen.

 

Nolasco, one of three rookies fighting for rotation spots, has been a starter in 100 of his 101 minor league games. But he could end up making the team as a reliever.

 

"It's something he'll have to learn,'' Girardi said. "I'm not saying that he won't start the season as a starter. I'm not even saying he's going to make the team. What I'm saying is we need flexibility.''

 

Three rotation spots will go to Dontrelle Willis, Brian Moehler and Jason Vargas. If Sergio Mitre wins a spot, that would leave Nolasco, right-hander Josh Johnson and left-hander Scott Olsen also trying to fit into the rotation.

 

Olsen could go to the bullpen, where no left-hander has won a job yet.

 

Tankersley's rise: Taylor Tankersley, Florida's first-round pick in the 2004 draft, has a good chance of making the team as a left-handed relief specialist.

 

If he does, it would mark a rapid ascent from Class A Jupiter, where he appeared in four games in 2005 after starting the season in low Class A Greensboro.

 

"I've been impressed by what he's done,'' Girardi said, acknowledging that few players make the jump to the majors from Class A. "Some of our guys are going to have to grow up in a hurry because we don't necessarily have a choice."

 

Tankersley, 23, said he's ready for any assignment.

 

"I don't know if there's a timetable that's really appropriate for everyone,'' he said. "This is just a really good, fortunate situation for me.''

 

Dontrelle tonight: Willis will be limited to about 85 pitches tonight when he makes his first Grapefruit League since March 2.

 

Willis, who lost his two starts for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, will make one more spring start before starting the season opener April 3 in Houston.

 

Pulling for Memphis: Three Marlins attended the University of Memphis: outfielder Mark Little, second baseman Dan Uggla and pitcher Josh Stewart.

 

Memphis played Bradley on Thursday night in the NCAA Tournament.

 

Little turned on his computer early Thursday to find an e-mail from University of Memphis President Shirley Raines.

 

"She sent it to all students,'' said Little, who is taking classes via the Internet. "She said, 'Make sure you wear your blue today because the Tigers are playing.' "

This flex starter/reliever sounds like a perfect role for Brian Moehler. Probably opens the door to keep Olsen, Johnson, Mitre, and Vargas all on the big league roster.

This flex starter/reliever sounds like a perfect role for Brian Moehler. Probably opens the door to keep Olsen, Johnson, Mitre, and Vargas all on the big league roster.

 

 

that does sound like a good idea

:thumbup

This flex starter/reliever sounds like a perfect role for Brian Moehler. Probably opens the door to keep Olsen, Johnson, Mitre, and Vargas all on the big league roster.

 

 

I certainly like the idea of using him in that role a lot more than one of our young guys. If it's any of the other you mentioned, it better be Mitre. We don't need to be doing this with the other 3.

 

I love the idea of skipping a turn now and again to rest arms, but I don't like the idea of bounding one of the kids back and forth from starting to relief.

Lots of great pitchers started out in the pen, most notably Johan Santana

It's also possible that one of those starters could be dangled in a trade for an outfielder.

 

That outfielder BETTER not be named Joey Gathright! Now, Jonny Gomes -- that's a name I could live with.

:thumbup I like.

It's a good move since most of these pitchers have never really thrown 150+ innings in their career. Don't want to push their arms too much. There really isn't much reason to.

 

Pretty surprised at Tank's turn around. When I saw him last year he didn't really look anywhere near ready, but I guess he can handle this relief role so we'll see.

Just as long as they throw Dontrelle and Vargas every fifth day.

Atta boy Tank

 

ps....does anyone have a picture of Tank in a Fish jersey for my sig?

Just as long as they throw Dontrelle and Vargas every fifth day.

 

 

You can be pretty confident that would be the case.

Atta boy Tank

 

ps....does anyone have a picture of Tank in a Fish jersey for my sig?

 

 

 

 

I have one of him pitching. I will find it and post it for you. It is not the best picture though.

Atta boy Tank

 

ps....does anyone have a picture of Tank in a Fish jersey for my sig?

 

 

Only on baseball cards.

Here.. Is it too blurry?