http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla

 

MIAMI -- Years of waiting for a big-league chance is paying off for Marlins left fielder Josh Willingham.

 

A slugger throughout his Minor League career, Willingham was blocked of a big-league break the past few seasons.

 

Now that he has solidified left field for the Marlins, the 27-year-old from Florence, Ala., is capitalizing on his opportunity. Batting cleanup behind All-Star Miguel Cabrera, Willingham batted .299 in April with a team-high five home runs and 20 RBIs.

 

Because teams are pitching Cabrera carefully, Willingham is finding himself batting with runners on base. He is hitting .286 with runners in scoring position.

 

"The main thing this year that I haven't had in the past is I hadn't had a chance to be out there every day," said Willingham, one of five rookie regulars in Florida's lineup.

 

A year ago, Willingham appeared in 16 games for the Marlins, and hit .304 (7-for-23). At Triple-A Albuquerque, he batted .324 with 19 home runs and 54 RBIs.

 

Protecting Cabrera in the lineup is a new challenge as well.

 

"This is kind of new for me, too," he said. "In most lineups I've been in, I was the one they didn't want to have beat them. Now, they are putting Miguel on base. I'm kind of enjoying it, because first of all, I'm always hitting with men on base, and have more opportunities to drive in runs. Second of all, when you are an offensive player, that's the situation you want to look for."

 

In Spring Training, Willingham worked extensively as a catcher. But because of a need for outfield help, and to keep him fresh, he has played almost exclusively in left field. He's caught two games, and doesn't appear to be close to going back behind the plate.

 

"I have no problems playing left field for the rest of the year, if that's the way it is," he said. "If I don't catch again the rest of the year, that's fine with me. Obviously, catching is going to help me later on, maybe this year, maybe next year. The fact I can do it may keep me around the game a little longer. As far as being an everyday catcher in the big leagues, I don't know if I'll ever be that."

 

Johnson gets start: The Marlins have switched up their rotation for Thursday against the Nationals. Right-hander Josh Johnson will replace struggling lefty Jason Vargas, who will work out the bullpen. A starter throughout his Minor League career, Johnson is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA in seven relief appearances. Johnson has pitched 11 2/3 innings. This will be his second Major League start.

 

Vargas, 1-1 with a 5.70 ERA, has struggled with command in five starts. In 23 2/3 innings, he has walked 20. In his last start, a no-decision against the Rockies on Saturday, Vargas lasted 2 1/3 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits with three walks, three strikeouts and one home run. He threw 70 pitches.

 

Vargas gives the bullpen a left-handed presence for the first time this season.

 

Martinez tosses: Carlos Martinez threw off flat ground on Monday for the first time since going on the disabled list on April 17 with a right elbow strain.

 

While the right-handed reliever took his first big step toward getting back into action, manager Joe Girardi said Martinez is more than a month, at least, from being able to return. Best case scenario may be before the All-Star break in July.

 

"We're a ways away with him," Girardi said. "My concern with him was he already played catch and didn't tell us."

 

As far as the team knows, Martinez didn't throw before he was medically cleared.

 

Hermida rehabbing: Barring any setback in his rehab assignments, Jeremy Hermida will be activated on Wednesday when the team opens a two-game series against the Nationals in Washington, D.C.

 

"That's very, very possible," Girardi said.

 

Recovering from a right hip flexor strain, Hermida played a rehab game with Class A Jupiter on Monday night. On Tuesday, the right fielder will take part in an extended spring game. In those contests, Hermida can bat every inning.

 

The Marlins are looking for him to get at least five or six at-bats in those games.

 

When Hermida is activated, the club is still leaning toward carrying 12 pitchers. So a position player most likely will be sent down.

 

Willis striking up support: Dontrelle Willis is striking a high note for the military.

 

The D-Train has joined "Strikeouts For Troops," a national project aimed at assisting United States military personnel.

 

Willis is pledging $100 for each strikeout he records this season to the to the strikeouts program. Through five starts, his total contribution is $2,100.

 

"Strikeouts for Troops" is a national project founded by A's left-hander Barry Zito to benefit soldiers who are being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Hospital and other military hospitals for injuries during service in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places around the world.

 

Impressed by Moehler: Even though Brian Moehler wasn't involved in the decision on Friday night against the Rockies, the right-hander made major strides correcting some glitches in his delivery.

 

In six innings, Moehler gave up two runs, but more importantly, he kept the ball down in the zone and worked both sides of the plate.

 

"He broke a couple of bats with the cutter," catcher Miguel Olivo said. "I hadn't caught him in a long time but he looked great to me. He was putting the ball in the right spots. For me, what I see, he looked tough on the hitters."

 

Girardi says Moehler has to keep hitters off balance with precise command and location.

 

"He has to be down and be on the corners, he has to be able to do that," Girardi said. "The other thing he has to do is he has to be able to throw offspeed at any time in the count -- 2-0, 3-1, 0-0. When you don't have overpowering stuff, you have to be able to make good pitches all the time."

 

Herges a dad again: Reliever Matt Herges' wife, Jane, gave birth to the couple's third child. Bryce Matthew was born at 5:35 p.m. ET on Monday in Broward County. The baby weighs 7 pounds, 9 ounces.

 

Coming up: Tuesday concludes the brief two-game series with the Phillies at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Marlins will start left-hander Scott Olsen (1-1, 2.12 ERA), who has already beaten the Phillies this season. For the second time, the Marlins will face right-hander Jon Lieber (0-4, 7.04 ERA), who suffered that loss to Olsen.

 

Still think Moe should go to the pen...certainly not Vargas.

vargas is struggling mightily and I see Moe building on his last success. He shouldn't be in the rotation too much longer anyway.

Not shocked, Vargas is having major problems with that control.

hope vargas gets back on track... then he and jj can switch again//

I'm glad Vargas is out of the rotation, but we need to hurry up and get Moe out as well.

Good move by Girardi.

 

It makes excellent sense on several levels. JJ has been effective as a starter, and I believe Vargas could be an effective lefty specialist (we needed one).

 

This should work out well for both of them. :thumbup

It is good to see JJ is getting his shot. It is well-deserved. Now I just hope he holds onto that spot. Vargas will get another chance at starting once Moehler starts blowing up again.

Nice to see JJ getting a start :thumbup . Lets see how this one goes.

I wanted Nolasco to join the rotation.

I wanted Nolasco to join the rotation.

 

 

He is probably next.

I wanted Nolasco to join the rotation.

 

 

I did too, but am not disappointed with JJ being added. I'm sure Nolasco will get his chance before the end of the season.

I wanted Nolasco to join the rotation.

 

 

He is probably next.

 

I could see Nolasco getting a shot when/if Moehler starts giving up tons of runs again, especially if Vargas flourishes in the bullpen.

I'm glad Vargas is out of the rotation. The guy gave me an ulcer everytime he threw a pitch. I'll be even happier when Moehler is out of the rotation.

Hopefully Josh Johnson works out his control his BB ratio is just as bad a vargas even though he has been in the bullpen. I personally would have preferred Nolasco over Johnson.

Vargas is struggling big time, but it would make more sense to me to send him down instead of sending him to the 'pen. In the minors he'd get regular and prolonged work, that helps regain form more than anything.

 

I wanted Nolasco to join the rotation.

 

 

Why, they basically have identical numbers, with Johnson having a marginally lower WHIP in more innings pitched.

 

Oh, wait, it's that hispanic thing, right?

Vargas is struggling big time, but it would make more sense to me to send him down instead of sending him to the 'pen. In the minors he'd get regular and prolonged work, that helps regain form more than anything.

 

 

I wanted Nolasco to join the rotation.

 

 

Why, they basically have identical numbers, with Johnson having a marginally lower WHIP in more innings pitched.

 

Oh, wait, it's that hispanic thing, right?

come on dude...

Vargas is struggling big time, but it would make more sense to me to send him down instead of sending him to the 'pen. In the minors he'd get regular and prolonged work, that helps regain form more than anything.

 

 

I wanted Nolasco to join the rotation.

 

 

Why, they basically have identical numbers, with Johnson having a marginally lower WHIP in more innings pitched.

 

Oh, wait, it's that hispanic thing, right?

K/BB ratio?

Vargas is struggling big time, but it would make more sense to me to send him down instead of sending him to the 'pen. In the minors he'd get regular and prolonged work, that helps regain form more than anything.

I wanted Nolasco to join the rotation.

 

Why, they basically have identical numbers, with Johnson having a marginally lower WHIP in more innings pitched.

 

Oh, wait, it's that hispanic thing, right?Save it for the other thread Swifty.

 

I would've liked Nolasco first too actually. Just think he's got a terrific set of pitches & has better control than Josh in general. But I like JJ too & want both in the rotation eventually, so either way I'm happy.

 

Not happy about Vargas struggling, but maybe this will work out, who knows.

Maybe Joe is finally checking out mb.com

 

Vargas to the pen is an excellent move. Next is Moehler in exchange for Nolasco.

Seriously, guys, other than giving us a left-handed arm in the 'pen, why is it a good move?

 

By the way, last I checked, if someone has a base-on-balls issue, the last place you want him is in the bullpen in (presumably) a specialist's role.

 

Send Vargas down before sending him to the 'pen.

I wanted Nolasco to join the rotation.

 

 

Why, they basically have identical numbers, with Johnson having a marginally lower WHIP in more innings pitched.

 

Oh, wait, it's that hispanic thing, right?

 

Very similar numbers, but the main difference is that Nolasco has walked 4 in 9.2 innings while JJ has walked 9 in 11.2 innings. I don't like the fact that JJ has walked so many guys. I like Nolasco's control.

 

By the way, you need to chill. This is getting old real quick.

Seriously, guys, other than giving us a left-handed arm in the 'pen, why is it a good move?

 

By the way, last I checked, if someone has a base-on-balls issue, the last place you want him is in the bullpen in (presumably) a specialist's role.

 

Send Vargas down before sending him to the 'pen.

 

because they can work on his mechanics on the side without letting him get shredded in a starter's role. He may be a reliever long-term for us anyway. But, seriously, you've probably got the answers.

Seriously, guys, other than giving us a left-handed arm in the 'pen, why is it a good move?

 

By the way, last I checked, if someone has a base-on-balls issue, the last place you want him is in the bullpen in (presumably) a specialist's role.

 

Send Vargas down before sending him to the 'pen.

 

because they can work on his mechanics on the side without letting him get shredded in a starter's role. He may be a reliever long-term for us anyway. But, seriously, you've probably got the answers.

 

I completely agree that his future is not in our rotation, but he isn't any good to this team right now in any form with such shot self confidence.

 

A couple starts in the minors to work everything out would do a world of good for Vargas, unless this is one of those things where he's just getting one start skipped and just working on mechanics in the bullpen.

Good move by Girardi.

 

It makes excellent sense on several levels. JJ has been effective as a starter, and I believe Vargas could be an effective lefty specialist (we needed one).

 

This should work out well for both of them. :thumbup

 

i agree with that completely

Vargas to the pen,VARGAS are you f***ing serious!!!f***ing Girardi you're full of sh*t,Moehler is suppose to go there he's the biggest piece of sh*t on this team,and release Matt Herges while you're at it..Also put Wes Helms in for Mike Jacobs,he doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. :banghead