FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A couple of weeks hanging around Dontrelle Willis made Buck Martinez even a bigger fan of the D-Train.

 

During the World Baseball Classic, Willis pitched for Team USA, which was managed by Martinez.

 

Martinez attended Monday's Spring Training game between the Marlins and Orioles. He says the Classic experience should help Willis, who had a subpar tournament, going 0-2 with a 12.71 ERA.

 

"He's going to be fine. He's a special player," Martinez said. "He's going to be fine. He's going to win a Cy Young [Award] before it's all said and done. He's going to be an All-Star many times over."

 

Despite two rough performances in the Classic, Martinez reminds people that Willis is just 24. He also was hoping Team USA would advance, and had they reached the championship game, Willis was in line to pitch that night.

 

"I really admire him, he's a tremendous talent and he was a joy to be around," Martinez said. "I wanted to give him the ball so badly in that final game. I was just hoping we'd get one more chance.

 

"He was disappointed with the way he performed. I think we were all caught off guard by the competition. There was more intensity than anyone imagined there would be. The next time we've got to play a few more games. Even the pitchers, they weren't ready for that competition."

 

Martinez noted that a number of the Team USA players, particularly Roger Clemens, offered plenty of encouragement to Willis.

 

"He was in a different atmosphere that he wasn't used to," Martinez said. "He was being boosted by the other guys. I know Rocket talked to him after his first start. He said, 'Hey man, this is pretty good competition, we believe in you.' He was very supportive of him."

 

Overall, Team USA also fell short of expectations. Martinez said for the next Classic, in 2009, that the United States has to prepare a little earlier.

 

"We need to play more games, we need to have a minicamp and we need more at-bats," Martinez said.

 

Bump optioned: Reliever Nate Bump was optioned on Monday to Triple-A Albuquerque. The 29-year-old right-hander appeared in seven spring games and had a 2.57 ERA in seven innings.

 

In 2005, Bump appeared in 31 games for the Marlins, going 0-3 with a 4.03 ERA. He was in the mix for a setup relief job.

 

Bump underwent shoulder surgery in the middle of last season, but he was feeling healthy this spring.

 

The Marlins now have 31 players on their roster. One of those spots is filled by left-handed reliever Michael Megrew, who hasn't pitched since March 12 because of an irritated shoulder.

 

A Rule 5 Draft pick from the Dodgers, Megrew has to either be on the Opening Day roster or the disabled list in order to remain with the Marlins.

 

If Florida places Megrew on the DL, it will have to pay the left-hander a big-league salary, which would be the league-minimum of $327,000.

 

Should Megrew not be placed on the DL, he would be offered back to the Dodgers, assuming he cleared waivers.

 

Willingham's defense: The steady progress Josh Willingham has made behind the plate has been a pleasant surprise to the Marlins.

 

To keep Willingham fresh, his time will be split between catching and playing left field. But in terms of improving as a catcher, bench coach Gary Tuck couldn't be happier.

 

Tuck is a respected catching instructor, who has basically re-taught Willingham and the other catchers the position.

 

How far has Willingham come since the start of Spring Training? Tuck says, 360 degrees.

 

"He's done everything we've asked him to do," Tuck said. "He's adjusted, changed every technique. He's gone in a completely different direction. He's not scared to try something new. And he's stayed with it. And he's progressed daily."

 

This spring, Willingham has dropped one ball, and he's thrown out three of four runners trying to steal. He's also improved calling pitches.

 

"It's a credit to his tremendous dedication to it," Tuck said. "It's been unbelievable."

 

Tuck says he's worked Willingham -- and the rest of the catchers -- hard.

 

"He's never balked at it," Tuck said. "I've continued to whip and whip him. He's out there early and out there late. He's fought through a stiff back, and worked through that. I give the guy a lot of credit."

 

Willingham's hitting also continues to impress. He belted two home runs in Monday's 5-4 win over the Orioles.

 

All four of Willingham's homers this spring have been against the Orioles.

 

Vargas battles: Able to work out of some jams, left-hander Jason Vargas gave up two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks in Monday's victory.

 

For the spring, Vargas is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA. If he remains on schedule, he will pitch on Saturday against the Rangers in Texas.

 

Based on how the rotation seems to be shaping up for the Opening Series against the Astros, April 3-5, the Marlins could be going with Willis in the opener, followed by Sergio Mitre on Tuesday, and Brian Moehler on Wednesday.

 

Vargas is in line to be the fourth starter, getting his start on April 7 at Shea Stadium against the Mets.

 

Girardi, however, has yet to set the rotation.

 

Vargas lacks overpowering stuff, but has a knack of battling and he his fearless on the mound.

 

"That's my whole goal to contribute, keep my team in the ball game, and win ball games," Vargas said. "We're out here to win."

 

Fish bites: Hanley Ramirez was given Monday off, and didn't make the trip to Fort Lauderdale. The shortstop did work out in the morning in Jupiter. Girardi will try to give the regulars a day off this final week of Spring Training. ... In the final week of spring games, the starters will throw between 90-100 pitches, but no more than 100. ... With Monday's win, the Marlins have won seven straight and are 17-6-3 in Grapefruit League play. The 17 wins is second highest ever by the franchise in Spring Training, topped only by the 26-5 record in 1997.

 

Coming up: The Marlins return to Roger Dean Stadium on Tuesday where they will face the Mets at 1:05 p.m. ET. Because the team is still lining up the regular-season rotation, to slot everyone where they want, Tuesday's starter will not be someone already in camp. Instead, right-hander Craig Molldrem is being called in from Minor League camp for a one-day spot start. The Mets are going with Aaron Heilman.

 

 

 

 

I'd just like to point out one thing.

 

How far has Willingham come since the start of Spring Training? Tuck says, 360 degrees.

Doesn't 360 degrees mean he's back where he started? I think he meant 180.

 

:plain

good news on dtrain and that he was given great support during the WBC. concerning Megrew hes a great prospect and all but if he doesnt get better then it would be a waste to put him on the DL and still have to pay him the league minimum