By Steph Rogers
JUPITER -- The Marlins shuffled the lineup, and opted to get a recently returned Greg Dobbs some additional at bats, bumping Rob Brantly down in the order.
A.J Ramos and Steve Cishek played across the field in a minor league game against the Cardinals, having missed out on work due to Monday's rain out.
The home stretch is at hand and Mike Redmond is feeling like things are close to coming together for his club.
"We're going to start playing guys a little bit longer...we have a couple of guys who've been banged up that we need to get more at-bats for: Ruggiano, Dobbs, and Polanco," he said. "I still feel like we have time to get them in."
The noted players will go in back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the team will be off on Thursday.
"We’ll play it by ear after that....that last week I’d like to play a regular lineup as many days as we can," the manager said.
One staple for the 2013 roster is shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, who the Marlins acquired in the blockbuster trade with the Blue Jays. Hechavarria will get his first look as an everday player in the Miami lineup.
Though he comes with a flashy glove, the infielder hasn't boasted big numbers at the plate.
"I know everybody looks at the batting average, but I look at the quality of at bats and the hard hit balls," Redmond said. "Obviously, you come into a new situation, I’m sure there’s a little bit of trying to impress everybody and he has."
The Cuban-born Hechavarria comes with 41 major league games under his belt. He made his debut with Toronto as a third baseman -- a position he'd never played before. He had 32 hits and as many strikeouts through 126 at bats with the Blue Jays.
"I know that he’s excited about the opportunity that he has being an everyday player in the big leagues and spring training is somethimes a tough time for guys," Redmond said. "I’m excited for when the lights come on to see what he can do, when the games really count and the pressure’s on."
Redmond said the club will monitor the young player's transition to his new role in a new league. He's hitting .162 in 14 games, with three walks and six strikeouts to his name.
- OF Bryan Petersen was reassigned to minor league camp after the team's morning on-field warm up.
- John Maine will follow up Wade LeBlanc in Wednesday's game, and Kevin Slowey will start on Thursday in a minor-league split squad game
Starting lineups:
Marlins: 7 Juan Pierre, 5 Placido Polanco, 9 Giancarlo Stanton, 3 Greg Dobbs, 4 Donovan Solano, 2 Rob Brantly, 8 Justin Ruggiano, 6 Adeiny Hechavarria, 1 Jacob Turner
Cards: 4 Daniel Descalso, 5 Matt Carpenter, 7 Matt Holliday, 3 Allen Craig, 8 Oscar Tavares, 9 Shane Robinson, 6 Pete Kozma, 2 Audry Perez, 1 Shelby Miller
