Fish Bytes

Giancarlo Stanton takes batting practice; return still uncertain

Giancarlo Stanton was not in the lineup for the fifth consecutive game Tuesday, but took his first batting practice since suffering a bruised shoulder.

Stanton took several swings hitting the ball often to the warning track. Stanton also did some throwing and catching pregame.

Redmond did not give an exact timetable on when Stanton would return, but said Stanton told him he felt good after swinging the bat.

"We're just going to wait and see how he responds," Redmond said. "He hadn't done anything in five days so we'll see how he feels the rest of the day and look at him tomorrow and go from there. I'm hoping he shows up tomorrow and feel even better."

Redmond said he wasn't leaning toward automatically giving Stanton another day off if he felt a lot better Wednesday.

"We don't want to push him. We want to make sure everything is good."

KEARNS CLEARED

Outfielder Austin Kearns underwent his follow-up medical tests, and was cleared to play Tuesday night. Kearns was hospitalized Sunday after complaining of an irregular heartbeat.

LINEUP SWITCH

The Marlins made a tweak to the top of their lineup Tuesday putting Chris Coghlan in the leadoff spot with Juan Pierre batting second.

LINEUPS

Marlins: Coghlan rf, Pierre lf, Polanco 3b, Dobbs 1b, Ruggiano cf, Brantly c, Hechavarria ss, Solano 2b, Sanabia rhp

Nationals: Werth rf, Bernadina cf, R. Zimmerman 3b, LaRoche 1b, Desmond ss, Moore lf, Lombardozzi 2b, Suzuki c, Haren rhp

Kearns dischaged from hospital, but Stanton still not ready as Marlins remain in limbo

The good news: Austin Kearns has been discharged from the hospital.

The bad news: The Marlins remain in a state of short-handed limbo because neither Giancarlo Stanton (left shoulder) nor Kearns has been cleared to play or placed on the disabled list.

Kearns, taken to a local hospital Sunday morning after showing up to Marlins Park complaining of an irregular heartbeat, was on his way over to the ballpark Monday afternoon but still has has a couple tests to do Tuesday according to manager Mike Redmond.

Stanton, who hasn't played since last Wednesday, told Redmond his shoulder is "still pinching him" and was seeing a doctor again on Monday. Redmond said he hopes to have a better idea on how long both players will be out soon.

"Like I talked about [Sunday] we're playing short-handed," the skipper said. "We can't play short-handed for too long. It's too tough. That's something we have to figure out and try to evaluate -- how long these things are going to be.

"We don't want to put guys on the DL if we don't have to -- if we feel its just going to be a couple days and we can overcome it. That's just kind of where we're at."

> Backup first baseman Joe Mahoney, recovering from an intercostal strain, is still working down in Single A Jupiter. He's played in two games thus far and is 5-for-8 with a home run and an RBI. Redmond said he would be playing again Monday night against Bradenton.

MONDAY'S LINEUPS

> Nationals (7-5): 1. Denard Span CF, 2. Jayson Werth RF, 3. Bryce Harper LF, 4. Ryan Zimmerman 3B, 5. Ian Desmond SS, 6. Tyler Moore 1B, 7. Steve Lombardozzi 2B, 8. Kurt Suzuki C, 9. Jordan Zimmerman RHP.

> Marlins (2-10): 1. Juan Pierre LF, 2. Chris Coghlan CF, 3. Placido Polanco 3B, 4. Greg Dobbs 1B, 5. Justin Ruggiano RF, 6. Rob Brantly C, 7. Adeiny Hechavarria SS, 8. Donovan Solano 2B, 9. Wade LeBlanc LHP.

Stanton scratched from Friday's lineup with sore left shoulder

Marlins All-Star right fielder Giancarlo Stanton was scratched from Friday night's lineup with a sore left shoulder about an hour before first pitch.

It's the first time this season Stanton hasn't been in the lineup. Stanton, who took batting practice with his teammates, was replaced in right field by Austin Kearns. 

Manager Mike Redmond moved his 4-5-6 hitters -- Placido Polanco, Justin Ruggiano and Greg Dobbs -- up a spot in the batting order and slotted Kearns sixth. 

Marlins watch '42', Fernandez little nervous for home debut and a lot of injury updates (minors included)

Baseball will continue its tradition Monday of honoring the 66th year anniversary of Hall of Fame Dodger Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier in 1947 by having all its players wear Robinson's retired number of '42.'

Thursday night a couple of Marlins -- utility infielder Chris Valaika, rookie catcher Kyle Skipworth and general manager Mike Hill -- attended a special screening of the new movie '42' chronicling Robinson's story over at Dolphin Mall in west Miami-Dade.

Hill, along with several local dignitaries, presented a check for $4,200 to the Jackie Robinson foundation, which provides comprehensive scholarships and support services to minority students enrolled at institutions of higher education.

As for the movie, Hill said he enjoyed it.

"You know the story about him breaking through the barrier, but I didn't know it was like that," Valaika said. "Those scenes with him getting heckled by the [Phillies] manager [Ben Chapman] were pretty intense and then when he went in the tunnel and broke down like that. It's unbelievable what he had to do. It took a special person like they said in the movie not to fight back."

FERNANDEZ A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT FIRST HOME START

Marlins rookie right-hander Jose Fernandez said he expects to have a few more butterflies in his stomach -- and a few more friends and family in the seats -- Saturday when he makes his Marlins Park debut against Cole Hamels and the Phillies.

"I got a lot of family coming that couldn't come to New York," said Fernandez, who became the youngest pitcher in 30 years to register eight or more strikeouts in his MLB debut last Sunday against the Mets.

"Two or three of my cousins and a lot of friends and people I knew in Tampa will be coming. It will be fun."

Not only is Fernandez going to have more friends and family in the crowd, but pitching in a city with so many Cuban-Americans is also something he admits is weighing on his mind. It took the 20-year old four attempts and the near drowning of his mother to flee from Cuba five years ago. His story of defection resonates with many here.

"The kids and fans -- they know everytime I go out I'm going to give 100 percent for me and the fans," Fernandez said when asked if he thinks he can serve as a role model for Cuban-Americans in South Florida. "I love to compete. They're going to enjoy every time I go out there.

"I wasn't nervous last Sunday at all. I don't know, maybe Saturday, first start in Miami, maybe I'll be a little nervous. But it's not a big deal. After I throw the first pitch, I'll be doing what I do. At the end of the day it's pitching and time to get outs."

Manager Mike Redmond said Friday he isn't worried about Fernandez psyching himself out.

"I hope he just continues to do what he did, build off what he did his last start. He was totally under control," said Redmond, who saw Fernandez give up just three hits, one walk and one earned run over five innings.

"I'm sure all those things will go through his mind. Will he be more amped up? I'm sure he probably will. But I think he understands his emotions and what he has to do. As a young kid I think that's why we're all impressed with him. I feel confident after that first pitch or first couple pitches he'll gather himself."

INJURY UPDATES

The Marlins endured quite a few injuries this spring. A few guys finally appear to be getting healthy.

> Right-hander Henderson Alvarez threw his first bullpen on Friday since going on the disabled list March 27 with right shoulder inflammation. Alvarez threw 15 pitches and said he felt fine afterward.

"He'll ramp up the pitches probably with some change ups in there [next time]," Redmond said. "He'll start a progression, building his arm strength back up."

> Backup first baseman Joe Mahoney (intercostal strain) on the DL since March 22nd has played in a few extended spring training games and will play his first rehab game with Single A Jupiter Friday night.

Marlins vice president of player development Marty Scott had a few updates for our Clark Spencer on some of the franchise's top minor league talents.

> Outfielder Christian Yelich (heel/foot) did full sale running "with absolutely no pain" on Friday. He will see a doctor on Monday and will likely get cleared to play in extended spring games before he is moved up to Double A Jacksonville.

> Outfielder Jake Marisnick (broken bone left hand) will serve as a designated hitter Saturday in extended spring training. He's probably four to six days away from being shipped up to Jacksonville.

> Marcell Ozuna (broken bone left hand) has been cleared to take batting practice and is probably four to five days away from playing in a rehab game.

> Left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney (lat injury) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen Saturday. Heaney, the team's 2012 first round pick, has been playing long toss.

FRIDAY'S LINEUPS

> Phillies (4-5): 1. Ben Revere CF, 2. Jimmy Rollins SS, 3. Chase Utley 2B, 4. Ryan Howard 1B, 5. Michael Young 3B, 6. Domonic Brown LF, 7. Laynce Nix RF, 8. Erik Kratz C, 9. LHP John Lannan.

> Marlins (1-8): 1. Juan Pierre LF, 2. Donovan Solano 2B, 3. Giancarlo Stanton RF, 4. Placido Polanco 3B, 5. Greg Dobbs 1B, 6. Justin Ruggiano CF, 7. Rob Brantly C, 8. Adeiny Hechavarria SS, 9. RHP Ricky Nolasco.

Valaika to get his first career start -- Little League included -- at first base versus Braves

As a utility infielder Chris Valaika said he's always had a first baseman's glove in his travel bag just in case it has been needed in an emergency situation. 

It isn't exactly an emergency situation now, but Valaika will finally be putting his first baseman's glove to work tonight. The Marlins are starting the 27-year old at first base against the Braves. It's not just the first time Valaika will be playing first base in the big leagues. It's the first time ever in a game -- Little League included.

"With Cincinnati I had always taken ground balls over there just in case," said Valaika, who in a span of 35 games over three-plus big league seasons has played third base, second base and shortstop, but never first. 

"There was a time when Joey [Votto] was out where I almost got in. But it never happened. This is Day 1."

Valaika, who has known for the past few days he would likely get a start at first, is getting the nod to play first because Marlins skipper Mike Redmond said he wanted to give Greg Dobbs the day off against Braves left-hander Mike Minor. Valaika, a right-handed hitter, is a career .284 hitter. He's been taking grounders at first with the Marlins since the spring and began getting more work there once Casey Kotchman went on the disabled list last Thursday with a strained left hamstring. 

"We've talked about the position we're in over there," Redmond said. "[Valaika] had some good at-bats the other day in New York against lefty. This is the situation we're in. We need somebody to play first. He's the guy. I feel 100 percent confident he can go over there and do a good job."

Redmond said first base help could be on the way in the next week or two. Left-handed hitting Joe Mahoney, who showed some power this spring before straining his oblique and going on the disabled list on March 22nd, played in his first rehab game Wednesday and went 1-for-4 with a home run and two strikeouts in extended spring training according to Redmond. Mahoney is expected to get some more at-bats in Single A Jupiter soon, Redmond said.

"We all liked him in spring training," Redmond said of Mahoney. "When we talked about a guy who could potentially hit behind Stanton he was one of the guys. He has a lot of pop. He was having a good spring and just got hurt that last two weeks of spring training and that was it. Had he stayed healthy, that decision probably would have been a lot tougher."

> Logan Morrison, who was slated to be the Marlins Opening Day first baseman but is still recovering from knee surgery, said Monday his target date for his first rehab action is May 3rd. Morrison is hitting, throwing and now just beginning to put his full weight on his knee while running.

> Tuesday night's announced crowd of 14,222 was the smallest in Marlins Park's brief two-year history. The Marlins, who obviously expected smaller crowds this season with only 5,000 season ticket holders (a drop off from 12,000 a year ago), only drew fewer than Tuesday's total 14 times in their final year at Sun Life Stadium.

WEDNESDAY'S LINEUPS

> Braves (7-1): 1. Andrelton Simmons SS, 2. Jason Heyward RF, 3. Jason Upton LF, 4. Evan Gattis C, 5. Dan Uggla 2B, 6. Juan Francisco 3B, 7. Chris Johnson 1B, 8. Jordan Schafer CF, 9. LHP Mike Minor.

> Marlins (1-7): 1. Juan Pierre LF, 2. Donovan Solano 2B, 3. Giancarlo Stanton RF, 4. Placido Polanco 3B, 5. Justin Ruggiano CF, 6. Miguel Olivo C, 7. Adeiny Hechavarria SS, 8. Chris Valaika 1B, 9. RHP Alex Sanabia.

Stanton's three walks Monday a good sign says Redmond

After striking out 10 times during the Marlins' opening six-game road trip, Giancarlo Stanton on Monday night displayed the kind of patience the team wants him to have this season, drawing a career-high three walks against the Braves.

It's the first time this season an opponent didn't give Stanton anything to hit according to skipper Mike Redmond. Stanton, hitting just .174 (4 for 23) with no homers or RBI, did strike out once looking. But the effort was a sign he's being more selective and waiting to swing at the pitches he wants to swing at.

Stanton estimated he saw "probably two" pitches he wanted to swing at Monday. Stanton saw 21 pitches Monday in all. He fouled off two and took another five for strikes. Only two of the pitches in the strike zone were fastballs.

"He just has to continue to prepare himself and be ready to hit," Redmond said. "Somebody is going to make a mistake and he's going to make someone pay. Once he does that should alleviate any stress he has.

"Last night was good. They threw him some pitches where he could have swung and he laid off. That shows progress. There's going to come a point where he finally relaxes and says I'm not worried about getting a hit or hitting a home run and when that happens it will all come together."

WEB GEM

Adeiny Hechavarria's sliding, behind-the-head catch in Monday's 2-0 loss to the Braves earned top Web Gem honors on ESPN's Baseball Tonight telecast.

Hechavarria, who ran a long way from his shortstop position and into foul territory in shallow left field to make the grab, said Tuesday he didn't know if he had a chance at first to make the grab but hustled after it anyway.

"On my way to it I saw I could reach it, but when I slid the air took it and I completely lost it," said Hechavarria, who swung his glove behind his head before making the no-look grab. "When I caught it I said 'Wow! I can't believe it.' One of the best catches I've ever made."

NEW SOD PLAYS FAST

Even tough he got a chance to play a few games at home during the World Baseball Classic last month, Stanton said Tuesday he's still getting adjusted to the new grass that was installed at Marlins Park during the off-season.

"Super fast," Stanton said when asked to give his assessment of the the new Tifway 419 Bermuda grass in the outfield that replaced the Celebration Bermuda grass, which began to brown in certain patches during the park's inaugural season.

"It's almost like astroturf fast. Doesn't remind me of any grass field I've played on before."

The outfield grass at Marlins Park, the same as the one used at Sun Life Stadium, is different than what it is being used in the infield and in foul territory. That sod is known as Platinum TE Paspalum. But it too plays fast.

"Different than last year for sure," second baseman Donovan Solano said. "The grass was quick, faster. I felt the difference. I don't know if its the same as Washington or Atlanta or any other new stadium. Hechevarria told me it was faster in Toronto because of the turf."

The Marlins would eventually like to use the Platinum TE Paspalum grass throughout the park. There simply wasn't enough available for the start of the season.

Stadium officials have brought in special lights from Holland -- similar to the ones used in European soccer leagues -- to make sure this grass doesn't begin decay. Redmond said Tuesday he expects the team will play more games with the roof open this season because park officials want the grass to grow.

The Marlins played just eight of their 81 home games last season with the roof open. They went 4-4 in those games.

THE LINEUPS

> Atlanta (6-1): 1. B.J. Upton CF, 2 Andrelton Simmons SS, 3. Justin Upton LF, 4. Evan Gattis C, 5. Dan Uggla 2B, 6. Juan Francisco 3B, 7. Chris Johnson 1B, 8. Reed Johnson RF, 9. RHP Kris Medlen.

> Marlins (1-6): 1. Juan Pierre LF, 2. Chris Coghlan CF, 3. Giancarlo Stanton RF, 4. Placido Polanco 3B, 5. Greg Dobbs 1B, 6. Donovan Solano 2B, 7. Rob Brantly C, 8. Adeiny Hechavarria SS, 9. LHP Wade LeBlanc.

Marlins players, coaches not worried about negative feedback from fans on Opening Night

The roof will be open for Opening Night tonight at Marlins Park. 

How many fans actually come into the building to watch baseball remains to be seen. But Marlins players and coaches say they are not worried about any of that. They're job is simply to win games.

"We were wondering if we were going to get little Brazlilian girls bringing us out today," joked right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, obviously making a reference to last year's Opening Night when players were accompanied to the field by women wearing carnival outfits.

"[As for the fans] they're not going to be negative towards us. I don't know how many will be here. But I expect a positive reaction."

Unlike Ozzie Guillen who got a chance to manage few a games at Marlins Park in the preseason a year ago, skipper Mike Redmond will be managing his first game at Marlins Park tonight. He said his club is excited about making its home debut -- regardless of the negativity the franchise has faced since the dismantling of last year's club.

"I know it's tough," Redmond said. "All I can do is focus on the 25 guys in the clubhouse... I feel like we can get this back in the winning direction, the direction we're all use to and accustomed to. I just want them [the fans] to hang in there and watch the Stantons and these exciting young players -- the [Jose] Fernandezes."

MONDAY'S LINEUPS

> Braves (5-1): 1. B.J. Upton CF, 2. Jason Heyward RF, 3. Justin Upton LF, 4. Evan Gattis C, 5. Dan Uggla 2B, 6. Juan Francisco 3B, 7. Chris Johnson 1B, 8. Andrelton Simmons SS, 9. Paul Maholm LHP.

> Marlins (1-5): 1. Juan Pierre LF, 2. Placido Polanco 3B, 3. Giancarlo Stnaton RF, 4. Greg Dobbs 1B, 5. Justin Ruggiano CF, 6. Rob Brantly C, 7. Adeiny Hechavarria SS, 8. Donovan Solano 2B, 9. Kevin Slowey RHP.

Redmond: Platoon in center might be Marlins' best option

FORT MYERS -- The fifth spot in the Marlins' starting rotation isn't the only job weighing on the mind of skipper Mike Redmond these days.

With two weeks to go before Opening Day in Washington, Redmond is also trying to figure out what the best solution in center field might be and he said Monday a platoon situation "could end up being our best option."

"We could definitely go that route, that way we make sure we don't wear one guy out," Redmond said. "We don't have a ton of depth out there and we have to make sure we keep everybody healthy out there as well."

If Redmond had his way 21-year old former first round pick Christian Yelich (.359, 4 HRs, 12 RBI in 19 spring games) would probably be his top choice. But it's inevitable Yelich, who hit .330 with 12 homers and 20 steals last season in High-A Jupiter, will be sent to Double A Jacksonville so the team can avoid starting his salary arbitration clock and he can gain more plate experience.

"You get a feel for what I think about him," Redmond said. "I play him all the time. I love him. Like I said, he's had a great spring. He's done everything we've asked of him. But at the end of the day he's never had an at-bat above A-ball and we have to make sure we're doing the right thing for him and the organization."

With Yelich out of the mix that leaves left-handed hitting Chris Coghlan (.318 with five extra base hits and four RBI in 44 ABs), right-handed hitting Gorkys Hernandez (.290, 3 RBI, 3 SBs in 31 ABs) and Justin Ruggiano, who is just 1 for 11 in the five games since returning from his back injury this spring, to compete for the center field job. The Marlins will keep two of the three. Ruggiano was supposed to be the clear-cut starter before getting hurt.

With Hernandez out of options and Coghlan with one left the Marlins could elect to send Coghlan down and keep Ruggiano and Hernandez in a platoon situation, too. But it looks like Coghlan has performed well enough thus far to deserve a shot at the job.

"He's done a nice job," Redmond said when asked if Coghlan is solid enough defensively to play center at spacious Marlins Park. "But I think that's the challenge. It's a big outfield in Miami. We're hoping whoever is out there just can cover the most ground. That's just kind of the situation we're in."

One option that appears nixed now is moving 35-year old Juan Pierre over to center from left.

"I know we mentioned early on throwing him over in center, but I think he just works well in left for us," Redmond said. "We'll figure out center field... it might be one that comes down to the last day."

> Right-hander Jacob Turner (0-1 with a 16.20 ERA in two starts) may be down to his last chance to make the starting rotation when he takes the mound Tuesday in Jupiter against St. Louis.

"It's safe to say tomorrow is a very important start for him," Redmond said. "We're trying to decide on this No. 5 starter and then adjusting the bullpen accordingly. It's been good to have guys like Kevin Slowey step up and pitch well. Honestly, we're still not sure. I'd love on the 18th of March to say it's all set. We're still not there yet."

> Reliever Chad Qualls, who has made just three Grapefruit League appearances, is expected to get a good look today along with two innings of work according to Redmond. Qualls, who hasn't pitched in a spring game since last Tuesday, has tossed three scoreless innings thus far.

"He had a little tight oblique early in spring. Everything is good now," said Redmond, who said Qualls got work in minor league games as he was recovering.

> Redmond got to enjoy a bit of a homecoming Monday. He spent five seasons with the Twins and got to see some familiar faces who didn't make the trek out to Jupiter when the Twins visited the Marlins earlier this spring.

"I spoke to [Justin] Morneau, [Joe] Mauer, the coaches," Redmond said. "Lot of great memories here. I spent spring trainings here with a great group of players and we had some good teams in there too. It's fun to come back and see everybody and say 'Hi."

TODAY'S LINEUPS

> Marlins (9-10-2): 1. Christian Yelich LF, 2. Chone Figgins 2B, 3. Kevin Kouzmanoff 1B, 4. Austin Kearns RF, 5. Chris Valaika 3B, 6. Nick Green SS, 7. Matt Downs DH, 8. Kyle Skipworth C, 9. Gorkys Hernandez. RHP Nathan Eovaldi.

> Twins (10-9-1): 1. Aaron Hicks CF, 2. Brian Dozier 2B, 3. Joe Mauer C, 4. Josh Willingham LF, 5. Justin Morneau 1B, 6. Jeff Clement DH, 7. Darin Mastroianni RF, 8. Eduardo Escobar 3B, 9. Pedro Floriman, SS. RHP Kevin Correa.

Healthy Josh Johnson nearing completion of a full season Monday night

Josh Johnson won't measure his success in 2012 in terms of wins and losses.

Johnson feels he will achieve the biggest goal he set for himself Monday night when he pitches his final start of the 2012 season against the Mets. The outing will signify a fully healthy season for the Marlins ace, who returned from a shoulder injury that limited him to only nine starts last season.

Johnson (8-14, 3.81 ERA) will make his 32nd start of the season giving him the most in a season in his career since he started 33 in 2009. Johnson was an All-Star in 2010.

"Getting through the season healthy was the biggest thing for me this year," Johnson said. "I didn't really set any goals as far as numbers or wins. The biggest thing was stay healthy and be able to go out there night in and night out and get outs."

Although Johnson, like most of the Marlins starters this season, has been durable, it's been a frustrating season in terms of results.

Johnson has pitched 191.1 innings this season and has 165 strikeouts, but has allowed 180 hits (just four shy of his single-season career-high) and has allowed 81 earned runs - his most ever in a single season. Johnson's 14 losses will be his most as well and more than he had combined the past four seasons.

The biggest problem has been lack of run support.

Johnson has been receiving a Major League-worst 2.92 runs per nine innings, and only 2.32 during his past 12 starts. The second-lowest is Nathan Eovaldi (2.94) who started Sunday. And former teammate Anibal Sanchez (3.28) has the second-worst for a pitcher with at least 30 starts this season.

Johnson, however, said he's feeling well physically after a long season, something he's taking as a positive sign heading into next season.

"All the rehab I did last year put me in the correct position with my shoulder to be in this spot," Johnson said. "You're always going to be a little sore and tight at the end of the year, but overall my shoulder feels as good as it did at the start of the year."

Sunday's lineups

Phillies (79-79): Rollins ss; Pierre lf; Utley 2b; Ruiz c; Brown rf; Schierholtz cf; Ruf 1b; Orr 3b; Hamels p

Marlins (67-91): Hernandez cf; Petersen lf; Reyes ss; Stanton rf; Lee 1b; Solano 2b; Buck c; Velasquez 3b; Eovaldi p

LoMo's knee surgery set for Sept. 5, rehab to last 6 months; Guillen doesn't expect influx of September call-ups

The first time around, Logan Morrison's right knee surgery didn't end up going as planned. He's hoping there won't have to be a third surgery.

Morrison told The Miami Herald Tuesday a second surgery to stitch his right patella tendon together will take place Sept. 5. He said rehab is expected to take six months -- leading him right up to the start of spring training. It's the same surgery Morrison had last December, but never fully recovered from. 

Morrison was one of the bigger disappointments on the team this season. He hit .230 with 11 homers and 36 RBI in 93 games before being shutdown for the remainder of the season earlier this month.

SEPTEMBER CALL-UPS

With September right around the corner, one might imagine the Marlins are ready to bring up their entire farm system to get a good look at as many players as possible who might help them in the future. Not so according manager Ozzie Guillen.

"They're all already here," Guillen said of who the Marlins want to look at from their minor league sytem. "They kind of mentioned a couple players. But I don't expect more than three. I always say this -- and this is my belief -- if you bring guys to the big leagues it's because you need them and they deserve it. I see a lot of big leagues teams calling people up hitting .210 because he's a prospect, because he's our guy. I think people should come to the big leagues because they earn it and should be here and not just because they have to be here.

"But I don't expect that many guys to come up here. Obviously, they're going to bring people up. I don't know their names, but they're going to bring two or three guys."

OZZIE SAYS NATS CAN STILL WIN WITHOUT STRASBURG

The hot topic in baseball for the past few weeks is how the first-place Nats plan on shutting down ace Stephen Strasburg (15-5, 2.85 ERA) early a year after Tommy John surgery. The normally outspoken Guillen stayed away from controversy Tuesday by saying what the Nats are doing is "nobody's business."

"The thing I respect is that they said it from the beginning of the season. They didn't change anything. I respect that," Guillen said. "Anything else, you have to be Davey [Johnson's] shoes, the general manager shoes and the players shoes. I cannot make any comment about it because they're not on my ballclub."

Guillen said while Stasburg is Washington's best pitcher the Nats can still win the National League. "They're good enough to compete without that kid," Guillen said. "You only need three [starters] I think they could matchup against anybody in the National League."

TURNER READY FOR SECOND MARLINS START

Right-hander Jacob Turner, who now has seven major league starts under his belt, said he's excited to make his first start at Marlins Park on Wednesday against the first-place Nationals. He went six innings and gave up four hits and three earned runs with five strikeouts and no walks last week in his Marlins debut against Arizona.

Asked what he learned from his first National League start, the 21-year old former ninth overall pick said: "The biggest thing was just my teammates [names] and how [John] Buck calls the game behind the plate. But as far as pitching wise, it wasn't a whole lot different.

"I made some good adjustments probably after the first inning. And that was the key for me."

As for catcher Rob Brantly, who was acquired in the same trade with Detroit, Turner said they have a "great relationship." There is a good chance Brantly will get to catch Turner Wednesday.

"He's only caught me a few times, but he knows what I like to do," Turner said. "If we ever gets the chance to work together, we'll just go from where we were before."

Guillen said he likes that Turner "throws a lot of strikes."

"He just needs to do what he did in Arizona," Guillen said. "Obviously, I'm not expecting that all the time. But stay around there, be consistent and then I don't need to see anything else. We will see if this guy needs more time. But I think the way this guy pitched in Arizona, it was a big step for him. Hopefully, he continues to do it."

STANTON BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT ON WEDNESDAY

The Marlins will give the first 15,000 fans attending Wednesday night's game against the Nationals a Giancarlo Stanton Bobblehead presented by Leon Medical Centers.

The first-time All-Star was named the National League's Player of the Week Monday after leading the league in slugging percentage (.857) and total bases and tied for the lead in homers (5) and second with RBI (8). In a year filled with disappointment for the Marlins, Stanton said being honored is "among the few positives you can get out of a year like this."

"The consistency is really what I want to be there," said Stanton, who had arthroscopic knee surgery just before the All-Star Game in July and missed nearly a month of action. "The past couple years it's been a great two, three weeks and then it's a bad week and a half and back to square one. Consistency is what I'm trying to get to." 

As for the bobblehead, Stanton said he likes it and is hoping to snag few he can send back home to his family.

> As Stanton spoke to reporters Tuesday, teammate Carlos Lee, who is seated in the locker next to the young slugger, had a little fun by poking him in the face with a microphone.

Stanton laughed it off, but then sent the veteran first baseman a little jab back by telling the media: "Carlos? I got to protect him every night. He doesn't know how to protect himself. I got to walk him home and everything."

Lee, known as El Caballo (the Horse), said next to Stanton he's simply "El Caballito" (the pony).

TUESDAY'S LINEUPS

> Nationals (77-50): 1. Jayson Werth RF, 2. Bryce Harper CF, 3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B, 4. Adam LaRoche 1B, 5. Michael Morse LF, 6. Ian Desmond SS, 7. Danny Espinosa 2B, 8. Kurt Suzuki C, 9. Stephen Strasburg P.

> Marlins (58-71): 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. Ricky Nolasco P.