JUPITER -- A couple of major moves just announced by the Marlins: outfielder Aaron Rowand has been released while outfielder Bryan Petersen was optioned to Triple A New Orleans -- indications that the team is confident Logan Morrison and Giancarlo Stanton will be ready to go for Opening Night.
It's also a sign that Chris Coghlan and Austin Kearns have won roster spots as backup outfielders.
Rowand struggled throughout spring training, hitting just .133 (6 for 45) while Austin Kearns, another non-roster invitee, hit .364 (12 for 33) with three home runs.
"I'll either go somewhere else if another team needs an outfielder or, if not, probably take it to the house, call it a career," Rowand said outside the clubhouse after being told the news. "Not everybody gets to decide when they're going to hang 'em up. I feel like I have some left. But, if the opportunity doesn't present itself, then I'm happy with the things I've accomplished and looking forward to the next chapter."
No matter where he ends up, Rowand will be paid $12 million by the Giants in what is the final year of his contract with them.
In addition, the Marlins re-assigned pitcher J.D. Martin and infielder Nick Green to minor league camp, bringing the spring training roster down to 33 players.
Good moves. Fish will rock!
Posted by: Bob Greasy | March 29, 2012 at 01:20 PM
Come on Coghlan, turn it around.
Posted by: bob | March 29, 2012 at 02:34 PM
Lomo heading to South Beach this weekend to audition a bathtub buddy to replace Petey. Samson wanted in ,Lomo had to blow him off easy.Samson even offered to be the towel boy,but Lomo isnt into cocktail weiners.
Posted by: Ballpark Frank | March 29, 2012 at 03:31 PM
Congratulations to the Marlins. A beautiful new stadium with inadequate parking. Perfect planning. Much like the planning that went into a last place finish and thirty games out year. But I'm fool enough to buy seasons tickets. So the jokes on me.
Posted by: Lawrence Wiener | March 29, 2012 at 03:59 PM
sell them on stub hub,u might be able to get half ur money back
Posted by: jeffrey the shyster | March 29, 2012 at 04:23 PM
Petersen did a great job for the Fish with limited playing time last year, and he showed a ton of potential. Unfortunately for Petey, Kearns stepped in and outhit him this spring, and Petersen became a victim of the numbers game. I like the guy, and in the long run, he's going to contribute a lot more than Kearns ever will.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I still think Coghlan is the Marlins' wild card this season. If he performs even close to the way he did in his rookie year, it'll be like making a blockbuster trade without having to give up anybody. Let's play ball, guys — it's been a long winter.
Posted by: laurelbowie | March 29, 2012 at 04:59 PM
Petersen is certainly to be called up....probably sooner rather than later....somebody will endup on the DL.
Posted by: spitballer | March 29, 2012 at 06:39 PM
petey will be the pivot man in lomo's bathtub this season...when lomo goes on the DL{downlow?}, petey will get called up ,and take lomo's place in the bathtub. they wont miss a stroke.
Posted by: jane | March 29, 2012 at 06:50 PM
Boy, I am excited about having Cogs back and healthy. This kid play good baseball.
Posted by: Flav C | March 29, 2012 at 09:56 PM
I can't wait till opening day. Marlin fans enjoy new stadium. Aloha from Hawaii.
Posted by: Lucas | March 29, 2012 at 10:08 PM
Cogs can be used plebty this season
Really rooting for this guy to be a part of this team, he plays the game the right way. Lefty bat helps and ability to play all outfield pos and maybe ocassional second base in a pinch
Posted by: thejuandiggler | March 29, 2012 at 11:24 PM