Mike Jacobs, who injured his right quad May 7, is finally back in the starting lineup. Jake is hitting fourth and should see some good pitches tonight, because Dan Uggla is hitting fifth. Uggla is hitting .619 (13 for 21) over the last seven games with five homers and 10 RBI.
If he keeps up at this pace, he is going to put up even bigger numbers in arbitration. The Marlins finally announced the Hanley Ramirez deal Saturday and it was sweltering (about 150 degress) at 11 a.m. at the Orange Bowl site of the proposed new ballpark.
The question about whether Uggla will be the next one signed to a long term deal may linger throughout the entire season. The guess is Uggla will get more than $6 million in arbitration if the Marlins decide not to sign him to a multi-year deal. He will get paid one way or the other.
The other twist in Saturday's lineup is behind the plate, where Mike Rabelo replaces Matt Treanor, who started the previous four games. Alfredo Amezaga is leading off again, replacing Cody Ross, whose brilliant play in center field in the ninth inning Friday got lost in the 7-6 loss to the Royals.
Ross raced in and stole a single from Esteban German and then threw out Mark Grudzielanek at the plate to end the Royals' ninth.
Here are the lineups:
Marlins
Amezaga CF
Hermida RF
Ramirez SS
Jacobs 1B
Uggla 2B
Cantu 3B
Gonzalez LF
Rabelo C
Olsen P
KC
DeJesus RF
Grudzielanek 2B
Gordon 3B
Guillen LF
Butler 1B
Olivo C
Gathright CF
Pena SS
Bannister P
Comments