LOS ANGELES -- Wade LeBlanc is returning to the bullpen, but could reclaim his starting job as part of a 6-man rotation after the Marlins get past a couple of upcoming off days.
Though the Marlins are pleased with the job LeBlanc has done in his five starts (1-2, 3.29 ERA), they want to get a good look at rookie starters Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob Turner before the end of the season, and LeBlanc -- with bullpen experience -- is the odd man out.
"We want to give the kids a chance," said manager Ozzie Guillen. "We want to see those two kids throwing."
Said pitching coach Randy St. Claire: "LeBlanc has done an outstanding job, both out of the pen and in the starting rotation. Unfortunately for him, he's the guy that's done it (relieved) and been successful doing it. He understands. He took it well. I'm sure he wants to be a starter, and we all feel he can do the job."
Once the Marlins get past scheduled off days on Monday and Thursday, they could go to a 6-man rotation that includes LeBlanc. But Guillen said it "depends" and St. Claire said "it's kind of up in the air, because we also have off days in September." Guillen said the front office, however, is "leaning" toward a 6-man setup.
And St. Claire said it doesn't see where it would hurt the three veteran starters -- Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Mark Buehrle -- if the team goes to a 6-man rotation to finish up the season.
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Former Marlin Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers are tentatively scheduled to visit Marlins Stadium in interleague play next season. Caberera has not faced his former team since the 2007 trade that sent him to the Tigers. At present, the schedule -- which is subject to change -- has the Tigers in Miami for the final weekend of the season.
The schedule, which has the Marlins facing A.L. Central Division teams in interleague play, also includes a visit to the Chicago White Sox, the team Guillen managed for eight seasons before joining the Marlins.
Lineups:
Marlins: 1. Bryan Petersen, lf; 2. Justin Ruggiano, cf; 3. Jose Reyes, ss; 4. Carlos Lee, 1b; 5. Giancarlo Stanton, rf; 6. Greg Dobbs, 3b; 7. Donovan Solano, 2b; 8. Rob Brantly, c; 9. Nathan Eovaldi, p.
Dodgers: 1. Shane Victorino, lf; 2. Mark Ellis, 2b; 3. Matt Kemp, cf; 4. Andre Ethier, rf; 5. Hanley Ramirez, ss; 6. Luis Cruz, 3b; 7. Juan Rivera, 1b; 8. A.J. Ellis, c; 9. Chad Billingsley, p.
Umpires: HP -- Brian Gorman; 1B -- Bob Davidson; 2B -- Tony Randazzo; 3B -- Todd Tichenor.
