Fish Bytes

Emilio Bonifacio to rehab in Jupiter Wednesday

            Emilio Bonifacio is scheduled to start a rehab assignment Wednesday in Single-A Jupiter, and said he’s on track to return to the team during its four-game series in Colorado this week.

            Bonifacio sprained his thumb Aug. 3 in Washington while fielding a ground ball, and is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday for the series finale against the Rockies. He re-injured the same thumb that had kept him out for an extended amount of time earlier this season.

In addition to hitting the ball off the tee Saturday, Bonifacio said he has resumed other baseball activities such as fielding and catching.

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said he felt moving Bonifacio back to the outfield upon his return might be the safest move. Bonifacio started 47 games in center field and started 14 at second base after the Marlins traded Omar Infante to Detroit.

 “I’m ready to go,” Bonifacio said. “It doesn’t really bother me as long as I can play.”

Eovaldi hopes to get on a winning streak when he makes his second start for Fish tonight vs. Braves

ATLANTA -- Nathan Eovaldi knows it's not easy to win games as a starting pitcher in the big leagues. He won just two of his first 16 starts in a Dodger uniform despite posting a combined 3.96 ERA.

He's hoping his luck changes with the Marlins. After winning his Miami debut against the Padres last weekend at home, Eovaldi will try to kickoff his Marlins career by doing something he's never done before -- win two in a row -- when he faces the Braves at Turner Field Thursday night.

"Just go through the same game plan -- which is throw strikes and get ahead," Eovaldi said Wednesday. "It's a different team, different batters, different threats, but I'm just going to go through it the same way. If you can get ahead of guys -- get strike one out of the way, you have a tendency to do a lot better. It's really just about not falling behind and trying to get those quick outs."

Eovaldi threw 86 pitches -- 56 for strikes -- in his Marlins debut and gave up just five hits, two walks and one earned runs over 5 1/3 innings against San Diego. He said he felt like he had good chemistry with catcher John Buck, who has will catch Eovaldi again tonight.

> As expected, the Marlins announced left-hander Brad Hand will start the first game of a double-header Friday against the Nationals. Josh Johnson will start game 2.

> Outfielder Justin Ruggiano is out again tonight with back spasms. 

THURSDAY'S LINEUP

> Marlins: 1. Emilio Bonifacio 2B, 2. Gorkys Hernandez CF, 3. Jose Reyes SS, 4. Carlos Lee 1B, 5. Austin Kearns RF, 6. Donovan Solano LF, 7. Donnie Murphy 3B, 8. John Buck C, 9. Nathan Eovaldi P.

Marlins' asking price for Hanley Ramirez "is not ridiculous"

Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez were the first to go.

Could Hanley Ramirez be next?

According to our Barry Jackson, an official with an American League team said Tuesday that Ramirez, a three-time All-Star and former batting champion, is very much being made available by the Marlins and that the asking price "is not ridiculous."

The Marlins want young players in return, but want quality pieces - not a salary dump. Ramirez, hitting .246 with 14 homers and 46 RBI, is under contract through 2014. He is due $15.5 million and $16 million over the next two years. 

Oakland and Boston have interest, and USA Today mentioned Toronto as another possibility.

Ramirez, who missed three consecutive games with a right hand infection, is back in the Marlins lineup today.

Fox's Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday afternoon that teams also have been inquiring about Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Carlos Lee and Randy Choate. Lee and Choate are impending free agents, and it wouldn't be surprising if either is moved.

The Marlins would love to dump Heath Bell, but finding a taker won't be easy.

> A headline in Tuesday's editions of the Miami Herald incorrectly stated that Larry Beinfest said the Marlins have given up on the season by trading Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Tigers for prospects. Beinfest did not say that. He said the Marlins are "restructuring."

TUESDAY'S LINEUP

> Marlins: 1. Jose Reyes SS, 2. Greg Dobbs RF, 3. Carlos Lee 1B, 4. Justin Ruggiano CF, 5. Logan Morrison LF, 6. Hanley Ramirez 3B, 7. Emilio Bonifacio 2B, 8. John Buck C, 9. Mark Buehrle LHP.

Oviedo headed back to Miami to have elbow examined

Juan Carlos Oviedo's comeback has hit a snag.

The right-handed reliever formerly known as Leo Nunez walked off the mound after recording just one out Saturday night in a rehab appearance at Triple-A New Orleans because of right elbow discomfort and is headed back to Miami to be examined according to the Marlins.

Oviedo, who saved 92 games for the Marlins from 2009 to 2011, is eligible to return from his eight-week suspension on July 23. The Marlins were hoping he would be ready to return to the team that day.

Oviedo hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since revealing last September that he had been playing under a false name and birthdate.

Prior to pitching in New Orleans Saturday, Oviedo had made two appearances in Single A Jupiter, giving up a hit and an earned run (3.38 ERA) over 2 2/3 innings. He faced three hitters in New Orleans before being pulled Saturday. He gave up a walk, a hit and recorded one out.

> How do you celebrate your first career five-out save? Steve Cishek did by waking up sick to his stomach Sunday with vomiting.

The 26-year old right-hander, who picked up his second save of the season Saturday night against the Nationals, was in the Marlins clubhouse with a cup of Gatorade in one hand and a piece of bread in the other.

"This is the first thing I've put in my mouth this morning," Cishek said. "I couldn't probably play catch right now if I tried."

The Marlins probably were not going to turn to Cishek to close today anyway after he became only the third Marlins pitcher since 2008 to record a save of five outs or more.

The last pitcher to do it before Cishek? Burke Badenhop on April 14, 2010 vs. the Reds. Prior to 2008, it happened 59 other times. Robb Nen has the most five-plus out saves in franchise history with 12. Bryan Harvey is next with nine.

SUNDAY'S LINEUPS

> Nationals (50-35): 1. Steve Lombardozzi 2B, 2. Bryce Harper RF, 3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B, 4. Adam LaRoche 1B, 5. Mike Morse LF, 6. Danny Espinosa SS, 7. Roger Bernadina CF, 8. Jhonatan Solano C, 9. Stephen Strasburg RHP.

> Marlins (42-45): 1. Jose Reys SS, 2. Omar Infante 2B, 3. Carlos Lee 1B, 4. Logan Morrison 1B, 5. Hanley Ramirez 3B, 6. Greg Dobbs RF, 7. Emilio Bonifacio CF, 8. John Buck C, 9. Ricky Nolasco RHP.

Samson wants explanation as to why Marlins won't be represented at All-Star Game

ST. LOUIS -- Marlins President David Samson expressed his disappointment Sunday over the fact the Marlins will be the only major league team without representation at the All-Star Game in Kansas City next week.

"I think there were a lot of different ways [National League manager] Tony [LaRussa] or MLB could have gone. I think it's unfortunate. I think every team should be represent on the line in the All-Star Game," Samson said.

"... if our guy had surgery, he had to have surgery. Obviously, it's been a disappointing first half. That being said, there are plenty of other teams that have had a disappointing first half and they have All-Stars. We have a team full of All-Stars. You look at the fact this game counts and you need to win it, having [Greg] Dobbs as an All-Star pinch hitter off the bench was an option. Having [reliever Steve] Cishek come in and get righties out was an option. Having [Justin] Ruggiano come in, who is completely clubbing the ball was an option...

"Whoever made the decision, they had their own view of it and it's disappointing. There's nothing else you can say except to say I wish the first half could have gone differently."

Samson said he spoke with Tim Brosnan, an MLB vice president, about why no Marlins were selected. Asked about the explanation given to him, Samson said: “Can’t say that I had one.”

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, meanwhile, said while "it feels weird" the Marlins won't be represented at the All-Star Game, nobody other than Stanton in his eyes really had an All-Star caliber first half. Asked who he thought could have replaced Stanton, Guillen mentioned Rugginao (but worried he didn't have enough at-bats), Cishek and second baseman Omar Infante. 

"Everybody else, they should be watching on TV," Guillen said. "The funny thing about it is when we built this ballclub we thought we were going to have five guys in the All-Star Game. You look at the names we have, we should have a pretty good group of guys. They're just not playing up to the caliber."

> Samson also questioned why Nationals rookie Bryce Harper was the player selected to replace Stanton and why Ruggiano wasn't when they have nearly the same service time. Harper, though, has played in 62 games. Ruggiano has played in 31. Harper is hitting .283 with 8 homers, 25 RBI. Ruggiano is hitting .410 with six homers and 17 RBI.

> Samson said what bothered him the most about the Marlins during the first half was their inconsistency.

"There's been a lot of attention with the team there's never been before. I think when you talk about all the excitement going into the season that's what leads to this level of disappointment because you don't expect to be under .500 at the break at all," Samson said. "But the way things went I think we're pretty happy to be this close to .500. It could have been a lot worse. It took a record breaking May just to get to this position. I'd like to see us consistently win series and that's how we'll make the playoffs. This team is capable of it. Ozzie told the guys himself, there's no reason to think other than we'll be in the playoffs. 

"You look at the top of the lineup. There is so much upside with Jose and Hanley. Having a professional like Carlos Lee in your lineup makes a difference. Heath had his first half struggles, but he has 19 saves. I think he's blown five and that to me is a year's worth of blown save. I think his second half has a chance to be perfect. So, there's a lot of upside. The disappointment we feel now is what you take two seconds and say what could have been and you move onto the second half and realize what you have to do."

> Samson said that on paper he believes the Marlins could now have the best three through five hitting combination in the majors with Hanley Ramirez, Carlos Lee and Stanton. But Samson said it's time for those guys to deliver -- especially Ramirez.

"Hanley is the man on this team. But being the man -- saying you're the man and being the man -- are two different things," Samson said. "He has it in him to do it. I hope the switch goes on because he's sort of the catalyst."

> Samson said the key for the Marlins in the second half is getting back to .500 "as quickly as possible." The Marlins will certainly have a huge opportunity to gain ground right away. They open the second half with a four-game series at home against the first-place Nationals, whom they swept on their first trip to Marlins Park.

> Samson said the grass in the outfield at Marlins Park, which has turned brown, should be much improved when the team returns to action on Friday. Samson said the roof has been left open, allowing for rain and sunlight to help the situation.

> As for the team's home attendance, Samson said it's hard not to be happy with what Marlins Park drew (28,329, 18th best in the majors) in the first half. But he said the team's struggles hurt. He expects improvement in the second half because he expects the Marlins to perform better.

"Right now, our performance is just to the left of mediocre. We're not a team that shoots for mediocre," Samson said. "There are some teams that do. That's not our team. We're shooting for the playoffs and being around .500 is not anywhere near where we want to be.

"I think this market, our market can handle a good Marlins team, a good team and a good Dolphins team."

> With the Showtime series The Franchise set to resume Wednesday, Samson said Marlins fans will be privy to everything they want to see -- within the allotted time frame.

"We promised to give them access to everything and we've delivered that," Samson said. "They're everywhere we are. They were there when we traded for Carlos Lee. They're there when we send players down. They there when we talk about players, off the field and on the field. It debuts Wednesday and it should be very interesting because there will be a lot of stuff that won't make the show because of the hours of footage. I think fans around the world while they won't see us at the All-Star Game, they're certainly going to see us everywhere else."

> Guillen said he plans on keeping his starting rotation the same after the All-Star Break -- Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Ricky Nolasco, Carlos Zambrano and Anibal Sanchez. The Marlins and Reds are the only teams in baseball that have maintained the same starting rotation all season long and not used a sixth pitcher. 

SUNDAY'S LINEUPS

> Marlins (41-43): 1. Jose Reyes SS, 2. Hanley Ramirez 3B, 3. Carlos Lee 1B, 4. Logan Morrison LF, 5. Justin Ruggiano CF, 6. Greg Dobbs RF, 7. Omar Infante 2B, 8. John Buck C, 9. Anibal Sanchez RHP.

> Cardinals (45-40): 1. Rafael Furcal SS, 2. John Jay CF, 3. Matt Holliday LF, 4. Carlos Beltran RF, 5. Allen Craig 1B, 6. Matt Carpenter 3B, 7. Skip Schumaker 2B, 8. Tony Cruz C, 9. Joe Kelly RHP.

Guillen: Getting Oviedo back will be like 'biggest trade of the year'

ST. LOUIS -- A day after closer Heath Bell came dangerously close to blowing another lead in the ninth inning, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen expressed his delight in the fact it won't be long before former closer Juan Carlos Oviedo is back with the team.

"Biggest trade of the year," Guillen said when asked Saturday what it would mean to the team when Oviedo finishes serving his eight-week suspension for age and identity fraud on July 22nd.

"I will [treat] that as a big trade we make for the [playoff] run. He's going to help the bullpen. A day like today, he'll take Bell's spot. [Other times] we'll see how Bell's throwing and we'll flip flop each for whatever reason. It's going to be a big lift. Hopefully, he'll throw the ball like he has in the past."

Oviedo, who saved 92 games in three previous seasons for the Marlins when he was known as Leo Nunez, was scheduled to receive his first rehab assignment Saturday with Single A Jupiter. But that's been pushed back to Monday night because of a stiff neck The Herald learned.

Guillen has long said he'd keep Bell, who has converted 19 of 24 save opportunities, as his closer when Nunez returned. But it's clear after Saturday's comments Oviedo could put some heat on Bell, who signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Marlins in the offseason, but has struggled.

Guillen said he might go see Oviedo pitch for Jupiter while the Marlins are off. The Hammerheads are scheduled to play in Fort Myers Monday night. Oviedo is expected to rejoin the Marlins on July 23rd.

> With Bell having pitched on four consecutive days, Guillen said he's giving him the day off Saturday. Guillen said right-hander Steve Cishek or left-handers Mike Dunn and Randy Choate could pitch the ninth today. Guillen said he would prefer to give Cishek the day off.

> A night after making the game-saving defensive play in the Marlins 3-2 win over the Cardinals, Omar Infante is also getting the day off to rest. That means 24-year old rookie Donovan Solano, who grew up in the Cardinals farm system, will get his first career start against his former team. Solano went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter against the Cardinals when they faced the Marlins last month in Miami.

> Although his team has won 7 of 9 and has closed to within a game of .500, Guillen said he's disappointed with the Marlins' first half. 

"We're finishing a little strong," Guillen said. "But am I disappointed? Yes. I'm disappointed. I should be. We're a better club than we're playing. I didn't manage this club for .500. I think we're a better club than .500. We not playing up to the caliber we should be playing. A little inconsistent, a little weird first half, you can call it that.

"[But] I'm pretty sure having Carlos Lee here [for the second half] is going to help. He's a guy who is going to lead and a guy they're going to look up to, a guy who has been in this situation before. I don't know why I feel that way. I hope it happens. I'm not going to say Carlos is going to carry this ballclub, or put people under his wing. But having him in the middle of the lineup, having his presence in the clubhouse is going to help those guys."

> Guillen said when Emilio Bonifacio returns to the Marlins after the All-Star Break, it's likely he'll return to the bottom third of the order. "I think I'm going to keep him low so we can get more speed in the bottom," Guillen said. "I think we're a little bit too slow in the bottom of the lineup."

Bonifacio has played in three games for Jupiter since returning from thumb surgery and is 1-for-7 with two walks, two strikeouts and two stolen bases.

> As far as outfielder Justin Ruggiano is concerned, Guillen continues to insist he will continue to get playing time when Bonifacio returns.

"If he continues to swing the bat like that and I bench him I shouldn't have a job. Fire me," Guillen said. "I'll try to find him a spot to play. Boni can play a little bit of second base, can play center field. We can move him around. We got to start thinking about [Giancarlo] Stanton and [Logan Morrison]. It's time to give them a couple days rest, too."

Ruggiano, who entered Saturday's game on a nine-game hitting streak and with a .411 average, five homers and 15 RBI since June 1, said he'll do whatever the team asks of him.

“I’m not going to be a selfish teammate,” Ruggiano said. “I want whatever is best for the team. It’s [Guillen]’s call and I’ll obviously support whatever Ozzie wants to do.”

> After seeing his average dip to .224 on June 26, Morrison has been swinging as hot a bat as anyone for the Marlins. He came into Saturday's game having hit in nine consecutive games (.444) with four homers and 11 RBI.

Morrison, who has played with an ailing right knee all season, was hit by a pitch in his calf and by another pitch on his ankle Friday. He also said he injured his right hand trying to make a diving catch on a sinking liner by Carlos Beltran in the fifth inning.

"I think I hyperextended a finger or something like that. But I'll be fine," Morrison said.

Guillen praised Morrison’s grit Friday. “Lomo is crazy or he loves baseball that much,” Guillen said. “He’s been playing in pain the whole season.”

As for his hitting, Guillen credited hitting coach Eduardo Perez for Morrison's improvement.

"I think Lomo has been more aggressive, pulled the ball a little bit more," Guillen said. "Now he doesn't have the mentality of a leadoff hitter. That's what I thought he was -- Lomo was a No. 6, 7 hitter who acted like leadoff hitter. He was trying to hit the ball to left field, looking for a great count to hit, looking for a perfect pitch. Now, I think Eduardo has tried to get him to swing the bat as a No. 6, No. 7 guy. He's 200 pounds. Drive the ball. He's doing it right now."

SATURDAY'S LINEUPS

> Marlins (41-42): 1. Jose Reyes SS, 2. Hanley Ramirez 3B, 3. Carlos Lee 1B, 4. Giancarlo Stanton RF, 5. Logan Morrison RF, 6. Justin Ruggiano CF, 7. Donovan Solano 2B, 8. Brett Hayes C, 9. Carlos Zambrano RHP.

> Cardinals (44-40): 1. Rafael Furcal SS, 2. John Jay CF, 3. Matt Holliday LF, 4. Carlos Beltran RF, 5. Allen Craig 1B, 6. David Freese 3B, 7. Skip Schumaker 2B, 8. Tony Cruz C, 9. Kyle Lohse RHP. 

Stanton says he'll return Saturday, plans to play in Home Run Derby and All-Star Game

ST. LOUIS -- After testing his right knee out for about 40 minutes in 105 degree heat Friday afternoon at Busch Stadium, Giancarlo Stanton said he feels good enough that he expects to be back in the Marlins lineup Saturday and plans on participating in both the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game next week.

The 22-year old slugger, who hasn't played since he felt his knee lock up during Monday’s game at Milwaukee, said he will eventually need surgery to remove the "loose bodies" in his knee. But for now, he is looking to manage his knee with treatment.

As long as the Marlins remain in the playoff hunt, and he doesn’t feel he will create any further damage, Stanton said he will hold off on a procedure.

“I’ve had knee problems before, so I’m not new to the fact of managing it,” Stanton said. “It’s just new to this feeling. I know my body well. So, it’s just a matter of what’s it going to do, and tell me.”

In his pre-game workout Friday under the supervision of team trainers and assistant Gary Thurman, Stanton ran along the outfield wall and then played catch. He then tracked down fly balls and grounders hit to him by Thurman, before firing them back in to pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who served as his catcher. Later, Stanton ran the bases.

The feeling in his knee, he said, is “weird.” But as long as it is just weird and not restricting, Stanton said he will continue to play.

"The muscles around it, my knee are not used to something bouncing around in there," he said. "It's been a little pissed off, not moving the way it's supposed to. But after getting warmed up and stuff, it was fine.

"What we don't want to happen is for it to get stuck in some place it shouldn't, and make ligament damage. [But] the risk of that isn't very high. It would lock up and tell me to stop before that. So, go from there."

Stanton said he has to monitor the way he plays closely. "I’ve got to read my body,” he said. “If I’m changing the way I run or hit or anything, then that is going to lead to other problems and change the way I play on the field.”

If that is the case, he could end up having surgery before the season ends.

Stanton said he was told surgery could mean him missing two to eight weeks. 

“It’s a big gap, but it all depends to the reaction to it,” he said. “I didn’t have a lot of swelling or bruising. So that means it would be however my knee reacts to being cut open.”

Stanton said the chunk of "loose bodies" -- bone/cartilage -- is big enough that he can actually push it up or down with his fingers when it slides over to the side of his knee.

Asked about getting back in the Marlins lineup for a day game with temperatures expected to be around 106, Stanton laughed.

"After what I did out there [Friday]," he said. "That's a piece of cake."

> Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina, a Marlins killer this season, will not face Miami this weekend. He's returned home on bereavement. 

FRIDAY'S LINEUPS

> Marlins (40-42): 1. Jose Reyes SS, 2. Hanley Ramirez 3B, 3. Carlos Lee 1B, 4. Logan Morrison LF, 5. Justin Ruggiano CF, 6. Greg Dobbs RF, 7. Omar Infante 2B, 8. John Buck C, 9. Ricky Nolasco RHP.

> Cardinals (44-39): 1. Rafael Furcal SS, 2. John Jay CF, 3. Matt Holliday LF, 4. Carlos Beltran RF, 5. Allen Craig 1B, 6. David Freese 3B, 7. Daniel Descalso 2B, 7. Tony Cruz C, 9. Jake Westbrook RHP.

Dunn, Choate, Cishek will split 8th inning role

With right-hander Edward Mujica shelved by a broken right pinky toe, the Marlins called up left-handed starter Wade LeBlanc from Triple A New Orleans Sunday to take his place in the bullpen.

So why not a real reliever instead of the guy who is supposed to be the first option if somebody in the rotation goes down? According to manager Ozzie Guillen, there just weren't a whole lot of intriguing options.

"We got a couple guys hurt," Guillen said. "[Alex] Sanabia's got a rib cage. [There was Chris] Hatcher, but we didn't want to keep doing it to this kid. He's got to stretch out, continue to pitch. We have to develop him and hopefully we get something out of him. LeBlanc was just the guy who was available at [this] particular time. He's going to be a long guy. We hope we don't have to use him."

Actually, bringing up LeBlanc might not be such a bad idea. Chad Gaudin, the team's designated long reliever, had to work overtime in June. He made 10 appearances -- one more than in April and May combined -- and didn't exactly sparkle. He went 0-1 with a 6.86 ERA.

As far as replacing Mujica in his usual setup role, Guillen said his plan is to move everybody up and just use left-handers Mike Dunn and Randy Choate and right-hander Steve Cishek.

Dunn, who had an ERA of 9.58 over 10 1/3 innings in his first two stints with the Marlins this season, hasn't given up a run or a walk in the 5 2/3 innings he's pitched since being recalled on June 21st. Guillen said he's been a pleasant surprise and said the difference for Dunn has simply been control.

"When you throw the ball 94, 95 and throw it where you want it, it's not the same as throwing 95, 96 and it's all over the place," Guillen said. "His location has been great and his breaking ball has been good enough to get away with. He's even thrown it for a few strikeouts.

Dunn said his second trip back down to the minors was when he finally figured out what was wrong.

"The first game I threw 3 1/3 innings and it was kind of a game where I had to mentally conserve myself because I couldn't go out there and blow it all out in one inning like normal," Dunn said. "After that game I realized I was under control. Pitches were a lot better and my velocity was even better than before with one inning. It was almost where less was more. Whereas I was trying to grunt through an inning and trying to overpower guys and pitch to velocity. Now, it's pitching to spots and actually pitching, not throwing. Go to the spot, be loose, be free and whatever comes out I know my stuff will be there."

Dunn spent three weeks in the minors in June and got to see a lot of LeBlanc. He said the 27-year old left-hander, who went 5-5 with a 3.74 ERA for New Orleans in 16 starts, looked just like he did in spring training when the Marlins last saw him.

"He was throwing a lot of strikes, going right at guys," Dunn said. "He's not going to ovepower you or blow you or away, but he knows how to pitch and throw strikes. He's fun to watch. He's like another [Mark] Buehrle really. They go out there and pitch, throw strikes and go right at guys."

> With the All-Star selections set to be announced at 1 p.m. today, most are expecting right fielder Giancarlo Stanton to be the Marlins' lone representative to get picked to go to Kansas City in two weeks.

"I hope he makes it," Guillen said. "If one thing is very bright for us [in the first half], it's him. For me, it's a shame. I looked at this ballclub in December, I said 'Wow we got a few All-Star guys.' Unfortunately they didn't play good enough to get into the All-Star Game."

Guillen said the only other player worthy of All-Star consideration in his mind for the Marlins is second baseman Omar Infante.

SUNDAY'S LINEUPS

> Marlins (37-40): 1. Jose Reyes SS, 2. Hanley Ramirez 3B, 3. Giancarlo Stanton RF, 4. Logan Morrison LF, 5. Justin Ruggiano CF, 6. Greg Dobbs 1B, 7. Omar Infante 2B, 8. John Buck C, 9. Ricky Nolasco RHP.

> Phillies (36-44): 1. Jimmy Rollins SS, 2. Juan Pierre LF, 3. Hunter Pencer RF, 4. Carlos Ruiz C, 5. Shane Victorino CF, 6. Placido Polanco 3B, 7. Ty Wiggington 1B, 8. Mike Fontenot 2B, 9. Joe Blanton RHP.

Mujica has broken pinky on right foot, first trip to disabled list likely

The Marlins haven't announced it yet, but expect reliever Edward Mujica to go on the disabled list soon.

The veteran right-handed reliever has a fractured right pinky toe and said he expects to be out at until after the All-Star Break. Mujica, who is wearing a protective boot on his foot, was injured Friday when he was struck by a line drive off the bat of the Phillies' Placido Polanco in the seventh inning.

"That one was very quick. I didn't even have a chance to move my feet or get out of the way," Mujica said of the liner that plunked him. "That was like bang-bang, boom-boom."

Mujica said he remained in the game and finished the seventh inning after being hit because his foot felt numb. But as soon as he got back into the Marlins dugout the pain ensued. "One out of 10, I'd say it was a nine," Mujica said of the pain.

Manager Ozzie Guillen said he has yet to discuss the situation with President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest or general manager Mike Hill, but said he and his staff are recommending Mujica goes on the disabled list. Mujica (0-3, 4.46 ERA) has never been on the disabled list.

"There was a long conversation about what we were going to do because he can feel better in four days [and go back out there]," Guillen said. "But, realistically, when you got a broken bone you don't know. If we wait four days, send him back to the mound and he can't pitch, then he's going to lose four days, six days from going on the DL.... I think the best thing we can do is just put him on the DL."

> With Justin Ruggiano playing well, Guillen was asked if there will still be a spot for him in the Marlins lineup once Emilio Bonifacio returns from the DL.

"Oh yeah. I've never seen any manager bench anyone when they're playing good," Guillen. "... Ruggiano, the way he's playing right now, I will find him playing time [for him] -- believe me. How we're going to do it? That's easy.They do it for me. He's definitely going to have playing time. I'm not going to say he's going to platoon. It's not that way. But I will find him at-bats, some at-bats."

Ruggiano entered Saturday's game with the third highest batting average (.396) in June in the majors, behind Joey Votto (.40) and Joe Mauer (.400). His .729 slugging percentage is fourth. Ruggiano, a .258 career hitter in 121 major league games, said he's just taking advantage of his playing time. Saturday will be his 12th start for the Marlins.

"I'm not trying to do too much. I'm getting more comfortable. More playing time helps," Ruggiano said. "This is definitely the most I've been able to play over one stretch during a month. I've never had this kind of opportunity. I've had it maybe a week at a time or a week and a half at a time in Tampa, but it was never more than that. That lineup fluctuated so much it was tough to get in there sometimes."

> JENNINGS HONORED: Dan Jennings, who has spent most of his working life scouring ballparks large and small in search of baseball talent, on Friday was inducted into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame in Fort Myers.

Jennings, the Marlins' assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel, was enshrined in ceremonies at Hammond Stadium. "It is a great honor to be recognized and go into the Hall of Fame of scouting," Jennings said.

Jennings, who began his scouting career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1986, signed and developed more than 45 players -- including Josh Hamilton, Carl Crawford and James Shields -- when he served as Director of Scouting for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for seven seasons. Jennings is in his 10th season with the Marlins.

Three other scouts are being inducted in the scouting Hall of Fame in ceremonies this summer. They are Bill Lajoie (Detroit Tigers), Chris Pitarro (Oakland A's) and Al Avila (Tigers).

SATURDAY'S LINEUPS

> Phillies (36-43): 1. Jimmy Rollins SS, 2. Placido Polanco 3B, 3. Chase Utley 2B, 4. Carlos Ruiz C, 5. Hunter Pence RF, 6. Shane Victorino CF, 7. Ty Wiggington 1B, 8. John Mayberry LF, 9. Cole Hamels LHP.

> Marlins (36-40): 1. Jose Reyes SS, 2. Hanley Ramirez 3B, 3. Giancarlo Stanton RF, 4. Logan Morrison LF, 5. Justin Ruggiano CF, 6. Omar Infante 2B, 7. Gaby Sanchez 1B, 8. John Buck C, 9. Mark Buehrle LHP.

Will the Marlins reward Josh Johnson with some run support? And is Buck finally out of his funk?

It's been a rough month for a lot of Marlins.

But not Josh Johnson.

The team's Opening Day starter, who went 3-0 with a 4.41 ERA in May and helped led the Marlins to wins in all six of his starts last month, has a 1.95 ERA in June, which ranks ninth in the National League. In all four of his June starts, he hasn't allowed more than two earned runs.

The trouble? The Marlins are 1-3 over that stretch as they've provided Johnson with just six runs of support -- including just one run over his last two starts.

Johnson, who is 4-5 with a 3.96 ERA overall, will try to keep his strong month going when he takes the mound against the last-place Phillies on Friday night at Marlins Park. Johnson is 5-4 with a 3.68 ERA in 13 career starts against the Phillies.

"He's been a lot more consistent," catcher John Buck said. "His ball is heavier. He's repeating his delivery so he knows where the ball is going. He's got that hard slider back to where I can even use it sometimes to lefties to get in on them, not just a swing and miss pitch. It's that old stuff I saw at the beginning of last year. It's welcomed to me."

When it comes to run support among National League starting pitchers, the Marlins don't have anyone among the top 25. In fact, here is where they rank in terms of run support among the 60 qualified starters according to ESPN.com.

26. Mark Buehrle, 6.09 average run support (per inning pitched).
31. Ricky Nolasco, 5.98
44. Josh Johnson, 5.44
50. Carlos Zambrano, 5.22
58. Anibal Sanchez, 4.59 

IS BUCK FINALLY OUT OF HIS FUNK?

Although he was an All-Star in Toronto in 2010, Buck has never been confused for a great hitter. His career average in nine seasons is .237.

But even Buck admits it's been tough to look up at times this season and see on the scoreboard exactly how low his batting average has gone this season. 

"I'm not going to say I'm not human and I didn't look up and it didn't bother me," said Buck, who went into Friday's series opener against the Phillies hitting .181 with seven homers and 20 RBI in 55 games this season.

"I think it literally has gotten to the point that it's so low that even if I get four hits a game, it's still going to be low."

The good news for Buck? The worst may finally be over. The 31-year old veteran has started to pick up the pace over the last two weeks and went into Friday's series opener against the Phillies hitting .313 with two homers and six RBI in five games over the homestand including hitting the game-tying home run in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals.

Buck was hitting a season-worst .160 back on June 15. 

Buck said if you watch the video of his at-bats from before this home stand to now you wouldn't be able to tell the difference in his swing because his "hands are only a fraction of a bit higher" when he puts the barrel on the ball.

"A lot of the pitches I'm hitting now I was fouling straight back before," Buck said. "... It was staying the course and continuing to believe in my approach, that I was going to get back to being me."

Buck said what has helped him through his offensive struggles this season is the notion he can help the team in other ways -- by calling a good game behind the plate and by having quality at-bats and drawing walks. He's drawn 33 walks this season. He had 16 total back in 2010. 

Manager Ozzie Guillen said it's been nice getting some production out of the bottom of the Marlins order. 

"One thing about John is he never takes his offense to his defense. A lot of players do," Guillen said. "Buck just goes out there and separates one thing from another. He knows his main job for us is our pitching staff. So far he's been great. I know it's been a tough month. But if you look at it overall, in general, he's been very good."

> Buck said he can already tell how much fresher his body feels playing inside Marlins Park versus being exposed to the heat and humidity at Sun Life Stadium last season.

"I can definitely tell with the last at-bat or two because I don't feel like I'm just standing in the box. I feel like I'm more with it," Buck said. "The daily grind of every game and having to revive my body for the next day was tough. There were times last year when I would start to cramp or lose 10 pounds a game just from sweating. I was going home crushing Pedialyte, Gatorade to come out and do it again. [My body] feels a lot better."

> Guillen said the two defensive mishaps the Marlins have had in back-to-back games with pitchers throwing wide of second base on balls hit back to the mound are a result of shortstop Jose Reyes taking too long to get to the bag and Carlos Zambrano and Heath Bell trying to turn two too quickly.

"Make it easier. Just get one out," Guillen said. "I think the last play [Bell in Wednesday's win], whoever was covering second base [Reyes] was a little late. With Carlos, Carlos made a bad throw."

"You have to be aware. Playing that position all my life [shortstop] you cheat to that position a little bit and be aware if the ball is hit to the pitcher what are you going to do. Most of the time when you don't make that play it's because pitchers try to turn double plays by themselves. You get one out and let the fielder make the play."

> Guillen said the combination he's using in center field between Justin Ruggiano and Scott Cousins provides the Marlins with the best defense they've had all year long. "Sometimes you wonder why those guys play in Triple A," Guillen said.

> Sunday, the All-Star teams will be announced. Asked what his favorite memory of his three All-Star appearances were, Guillen said his first experience in Cincinnati back in 1988.

"All of a sudden you dress up with Dave Winfield, [Don] Mattingly, Willie Randolph, Ricky Henderson, George Brett, Alan Trammel," Guillen said. "There's nothing greater in baseball -- other than the World Series -- being in the All-Star Game. Especially your first year, being around those guys. You know some of those guys are going to be in the Hall of Fame. It's a great experience. It's fun."

FRIDAY'S LINEUPS

> Phillies (36-42): 1. Jimmy Rollins SS, 2. Juan Pierre LF, 3. Chase Utley 2B, 4. Carlos Ruiz C, 5. Hunter Pence RF, 6. Shane Victorino CF, 7. Placido Polanco 3B, 8. John Mayberry 1B, 9. Cliff Lee LHP.

> Marlins (35-40): 1. Jose Reyes SS, 2. Hanley Ramirez 3B, 3. Giancarlo Stanton RF, 4. Logan Morrison LF, 5. Justin Ruggiano CF, 6. Omar Infante 2B, 7. Gaby Sanchez 1B, 8. John Buck C, 9. Josh Johnson RHP.