Lineups - Marlins/Rockies

             Arthur Rhodes was flying in from Dallas and was expected to be on hand, and available. tonight. He'll wear uniform #53 with catcher John Baker going to #21.....

             Rockies: CF Willy Taveras, SS Troy Tulowitzki, LF Matt Holliday, RF Brad Hawpe, 1B Garrett Atkins, 3B Ian Stewart, C Yorvit Torrealba, 2B Omar Quintanilla, P Jorge De La Rosa.

             Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirz, RF Jeremy Hermida, 1B Jorge Cantu, LF Josh Willingham, 2B Dan Uggla, 3B Wes Helms, CF Cody Ross, C John Baker, P Anibal Sanchez.

Andino Optioned

                The Marlins have optioned infielder Robert Andino to Triple A Albuquerque to make room for reliever Arthur Rhodes, who is expected to be available tonight.

                The Marlins obtained Rhodes from the Seattle Mariners on Thursday in a trade for minor-league pitcher Gaby Hernandez.

No Manny?

             There is a growing sense that the Manny Ramirez trade is dead in the water, with one report claiming the three-team deal was nixed because of monetary demands made by the Marlins. Nothing yet is official, but it looks like Manny-to-Miami had a lifespan of 24 hours.

             Or perhaps not. The Boston Globe is reporting that talks are continuing and could go down to the 4 p.m. deadline. Also reported: Manny is spending the day shopping in Boston.

             The Marlins picked up veteran lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes for minor-league pitcher Gaby Hernandez, and the Marlins may still be in talks to obtain a catcher as the 4 p.m. trade deadline nears. But the blockbuster trade that has consumed everyone in South Florida, Pittsburgh and Boston for the past 24 hours is looking more than iffy.

             The Marlins returned reliever Taylor Tankersley to Albuquerque following last night's game in order to make room for pitcher Anibal Sanchez, who takes the hill tonight against the Rockies. They'll need to carve out one more spot -- Mark Hendrickson? -- to make room for Rhodes when he shows up, probably Friday.

Marlins Acquire Arthur Rhodes from Seattle

                

         The Marlins have obtained left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes from the Seattle Mariners for minor-league pitcher Gaby Hernandez, according to an American League source.

Rhodes, a 38-year-old situational lefty with postseason experience, has made 36 relief appearances for the Mariners this season, going 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA.

The Marlins give up Hernandez, a Miami native and Belen Jesuit High School product who was acquired from the Mets three years ago for catcher Paul Lo Duca. Hernandez, a 22-year-old right-hander, struggled this season at Triple A Albuquerque, going 2-8 with a 7.24 ERA. But he had steadied since being demoted to Double A Carolina, where he was 3-0 with a 4.30 ERA.

             

(H.) Ramirez in Lineup -- Marlins/Mets, Wednesday

             Lineups for the rubber match in the series:

             Mets: SS Jose Reyes, 2B Argenis Reyes, 3B David Wright, 1B Carlos Delgado, CF Carlos Beltran, RF Fernando Tatis, LF Marlon Anderson, C Brian Schneider, P Mike Pelfrey.

             Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirez, RF Jeremy Hermida, 3B Jorge Cantu, LF Josh Willingham, 2B Dan Uggla, 1B Mike Jacobs, CF Cody Ross, C John Baker, P Josh Johnson.

UFO's Sighted Over Dolphin Stadium -- Manny Ramirez to Marlins?

           Beam me up, Scotty.

           SI.com is reporting aliens have descended on Dolphin Stadium and dropped off the reincarnated figure of Babe Ruth. Just kidding. Actually, what is being reported is that the Marlins are "engaged" in discussions with the Red Sox for Manny Ramirez, which is just about as laughable as some supermarket tabloid story.

           One reported trade scenario: Jeremy Hermida and minor-league pitcher Jeff Allison to the Sox for Manny. Think about that one. Allison, the former first-round draft pick whose substance abuse problems have cost him years in experience and about four to five MPH on his once-hyped fastball, is now 23 and pitching in the low minors. He is not exactly hot item he was five years ago when he was the national high school player of the year. And Hermida is no Ramirez no matter how you cut it. So what would the Red Sox be gaining other than ridding themselves of a lazy malcontent? And is Ramirez the sort of clubhouse presence the Marlins want to deal with at the moment? Is he the answer to their glaring catching, pitching and defensive needs?

          The Ramirez-to-Marlins rumor sounds to me like someone's imagination on acid.

          The Marlins are working the phones as Thursday's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline approaches. My hunch is they'll do something less sensational -- something that better fits their needs -- obtaining either a lefty reliever or catcher, or both. But if they don't get something done before then, they can still comb through the waiver list to craft trades in August (remember Jeff Conine in 2003 and Ed Vosberg in 1997), so it's not like it's now or never.

Treanor Plans to Play Through Injury + Lineups

         

         Matt Treanor plans to be back on the field for the Marlins as early as next Tuesday when they open a six-game road trip in Philadelphia. That's assuming there are no more setbacks between now and then for the injured catcher as he works his way back from a pelvic and hip injury, one that will require surgery after the season.

           "I felt like the best thing to do was see if I could get through the season," said Treanor, who received a cortisone injection on Monday and returned to  baseball activites on Tuesday. "Hopefully, on Thursday, i can get out and play and play some (minor-league rehab) games."

          Treanor said a MRI peformed Monday revealed three muscle tears in the pelvic region.

          "The purpose isn't to get out there, see what I can do, and hurt the ballclub," he said. "If I don't feel like, and the club doesn't feel like, I'm going to be effective, they're not going to put me back out there."

          Treanor, who was placed on the DL on July 8,  said he was starting to notice improvement even before Monday's visit in Philadelphia with a specialist.

         "He did say the risk of further injury is there," Treanor said. "It's not like the shot is a magic cure-all."

          Lineups:

          Mets: SS Jose Reyes, LF Nick Evans, 3B David Wright, 1B Carlos Delgado, CF Carlos Beltran, RF Fernando Tatis, 2B Damion Easley, C Ramon Castro, P Oliver Perez.

          Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirez, RF Jeremy Hermida, 1B Jorge Cantu, LF Josh Willingham, 2B Dan Uggla, 3B Wes Helms, CF Cody Ross, C Paul Hoover, P Scott Olsen.

Rain-X

George Richards here at Joe Robbie Stadium where the dark clouds seem to be departing the Metro Miami Gardens area. It looks like we're going to be playing baseball here tonight.

The Marlins got a brief respite from the heat of batting practice as a sun shower rolled in, prompting some players to head into the dugout for stretching. But the sun is out now (4:30 p.m.) and the infield is being worked on.

In case you haven't heard, the New York Metropolitans are in town for a three-game set. Ricky Nolasco (10-6, 3.99) takes on John Maine (9-7, 4.20).

Don't have the Mets lineup yet, but will post when I do. For now, enjoy the Marlins lineup, brought to you by Cheapo Brand Rain Ponchos.

-- Marlins (55-50, 2 GB of first-place Mets in NL East): Hanley Ramirez SS; Jeremy Hermida RF; Jorge Cantu 3B; Josh Willingham LF; Dan Uggla 2B; Mike Jacobs 1B; Cody Ross CF; John "Don't Call Me Ponch" Baker C; Ricky Nolasco P.

-- Mets (57-48, 1 game ahead of Phillies in NL East): Jose Reyes SS; Endy Chavez RF; David Wright 3B; Carlos Delgado 1B; Carlos Beltran CF; Fernando Tatis LF; Damion Easley 2B; Brian Schnieder C; John Maine P.

-- C Matt Treanor (strained left hip) met with a specialist in Philadelphia today, and while Fredi Gonzalez was more than a little vague on the diagnosis, surgery is not in the cards and Treanor is on his way back to SoFla. Plan is he starts working again tomorrow. Some of Fredi's workouts planned for Treanor? "Running the 110 hurdles,'' he said. "Then we're going to make him try and block his wife's [volleyball] shot.''

Good luck doing that when 100 percent healthy Matthew....

-- Anibal Sanchez is back with the Fish, "penciled in" to start Thursday against the Colorado Rockies (not the hockey team. They moved to New Jersey.) He spoke at length with some of the SoFla scribes, so will have more on that later.

-- LHP Taylor Tankersley is back in the bullpen after being recalled from Triple A.

Fredi believes in the Hawk

The Hall of Fame held its inductions Sunday, which prompted Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez to bring up Andre Dawson’s name. Many feel former Marlin and Miami native Dawson, a Marlins special assistant who was a star with the Expos and Cubs, should be in the Hall.

“When they have a flag with your name on it here at Wrigley Field – the Mecca of baseball --  that’s all you need to know’’ Gonzalez said. “Maybe the writers should pay attention to that. He should be in the Hall of Fame.’’

Chicago’s fans and media revere Dawson, who won an MVP Award with the Cubs, and his flag that flies over the first base side grandstand, simply says “Hawk.”

When Dawson was told on the field about Gonzalez’s remarks, he smiled and said: “I get all the votes from here.’’

He gets votes from South Florida, too, and Dawson is long overdue for a trip to Cooperstown.

Marlins special assistant Tony Perez was in Cooperstown for the induction ceremonies Sunday as one of the living members of the Hall.

Sanchez will start Thursday/ VandenHurk to 3A

The Marlins will get another big addition this week when Anibal Sanchez makes his return. Sanchez, coming back from shoulder surgery, will get his first start Thursday at home against the Rockies. Sanchez last pitched Thursday for Double A Carolina, and will be making his first start since May 2, 2007.

His fastball has been clocked consistently in the 90s during his rehab starts, and Sanchez has said his main goal is not to worry about strikeouts and walks, but velocity and arm strength.

Sanchez was as good as any pitcher in baseball in the stretch run in 2006 when he went 5-1 with a 1.88 ERA in a September that was highlighted by his no-hitter against Arizona. Sanchez was 9-3 with a 2.27 ERA in the second half of 2006, but never felt 100 percent last season when he made only six starts.

He will take Rick VandenHurk’s spot in the rotation, and everyone will pitch on normal rest except Volstad, who will get an extra days rest and pitch Friday at home against the Rockies.

VandenHurk, who was called up last week when Andrew Miller went on the DL, was roughed up Sunday, giving up five runs on eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings, and was sent to Triple A Albuquerque. Miller (tendonitis in his right knee) has been working out in Jupiter, and is scheduled to throw on the side Monday at Dolphin Stadium.