SAN DIEGO -- One day after collecting three hits and raising his average to .375, catcher Brett Hayes is back in the lineup as the Marlins prepare to open a three-game series against the Padres. But Ozzie Guillen said he still considers John Buck (who is hitting .190) his everyday catcher.
"I'm not going to bench a guy that got three hits," Guillen said of Hayes. "I've got to take advantage of that. He's going to play everyday? I don't think so. He's going to get more playing time? Yeah. But he's not my everyday catcher. I've got to continue to have confidence in Buck. I think he can still help us. It's too early to unplug people. That's not fair."
Greg Dobbs is starting in left field tonight instead of Logan Morrison, who continues to deal with post-operative soreness in his right knee. And with the Padres sending out a left-hander (Clayton Richard) on Saturday, Morrison will end up receiving two days rest.
"It's the same (stuff)," Morrison said. "Something I've got to deal with. I want to play. But I do realize it's a long season and they're trying to look after me. Absolutely it's frustrating. I want to be in there. I want to be playing. It has its days where I feel like, is it ever going to be the same? And it also has its days where I think this feels pretty good."
Said Guillen: "LoMo was sore (on Thursday) and we're going to continue to do what we've been doing, give him a couple of days. I don't want those guys playing hurt and getting worse."
LINEUPS:
Marlins: 1. Jose Reyes, ss; 2. Emilio Bonifacio, cf; 3. Hanley Ramirez, 3b; 4. Greg Dobbs, lf; 5. Omar Infante, 2b; 6. Giancarlo Stanton, rf; 7. Gaby Sanchez, 1b; 8. Brett Hayes, c; 9. Josh Johnson, p.
Padres: 1. Will Venable, rf; 2. Mark Kotsay, lf; 3. Chase Headley, 3b; 4. Yonder Alonso, 1b; 5. Nick Hundley, c; 6. Orlando Hudson, 2b; 7. Cameron Maybin, cf; 8. Jason Bartlett, ss; 9. Anthony Bass, p.
Umpires: HP Adrian Johnson, 1B -- Gary Cederstrom; 2B -- Lance Barksdale; 3B -- Fieldin Culbreth.
