THE ROOF IS OPEN ONCE AGAIN TONIGHT. THE GLASS PANELS IN LEFT ARE ALSO OPEN.
Neither Donovan Solano nor Justin Ruggiano are in tonight's lineup for the Marlins. But look for them there with greater frequency in the future. Ozzie Guillen said "those two guys are going to have more playing time." What's more, Guillen said he would have no problem giving Solano a spot start at third for the slumping Hanley Ramirez and Ruggiano a start (or more) in center if Coghlan doesn't pick things up at the plate.
"I like the way Ruggiano plays in center field," Guillen said. "I might get him more at bats there depending on how Coghlan's doing. I'm not afraid to play those two guys. I just told somebody yesterday, if we're going to give Hanley a day off, I don't mind playing Solano at third."
The versatile rookie has already played some outfield, second base and short for the Marlins. But it's not as if Solano's some neophyte at third, either. He saw action in 173 games at third over the course of his seven minor-league seasons.
Solano is hitting .455 (10 for 22) after driving in two runs Monday with a single and sacrifice fly. Ruggiano is at an even .400 (8 for 20) with six extra-base hits, including four doubles and a pair of homers. Coghlan entered Tuesday's game with a .146 average while Ramirez has just one hit in his past 25 at bats.
"He's had huge hits for us," Guillen said of Ramirez. "But he's very inconsistent. I wish he was more consistent day in and day out. Hopefully he'll get better. But, every day, we don't know what we're going to get."
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While the stiches were removed Tuesday from Emilio Bonifacio's left hand, Guillen said he doesn't expect him back until after the All-Star break. If that turns out to be the case, Bonifacio will have missed close to two months with an injury he suffered on May 18 in Cleveland.
Bonifacio told our sister paper, El Nuevo Herald, that he hoped to begin swinging a bat in 10 days and planned to have the injured surgically repaired thumb re-examined in two weeks.
"We have to stick with the plan, and the plan is maybe right after the All-Star break," Guillen said. "That's a pretty sensitive spot."
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Guillen said Carlos Zambrano would make his next scheuled start, on Friday in St. Petersburg, when the Marlins open a three-game series at The Trop. Zambrano exited his most recent start with lower back pain. Guillen doesn't want Zambrano trying to swing the bat so hard. With the designated hitter, Zambrano won't be hitting in either of his two upcoming starts, in St. Pete and Boston.
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LINEUPS:
Marlins: 1. Reyes, ss; 2. Infante, 2b; 3. Ramirez, 3b; 4. Stanton, rf; 5. Morrison, lf; 6. Sanchez, 1b; 7. Coghlan, cf; 8. Buck, c; 9. Buehrle, p.
Red Sox: 1. Podsednik, cf; 2. Pedroia, 2b; 3. Youkilis, 1b; 4. Middlebrooks, 3b; 5. Gonzalez, rf; 6. Shoppach, c; 7. Aviles, ss; 8. McDonald, lf; 9. Buchholz, p.
Umpires: HP -- Reyburn; 1B -- Wolf; 2B -- Cousins; 3B -- Kulpa.
