Coghlan, Baker injury updates and is that Ray Finkle?

Manager Edwin Rodriguez said Tuesday the Marlins should have a better idea after tonight's game when Chris Coghlan will be able to begin taking ground balls and participate in batting practice, a sign the injured former Rookie of the Year is closer to putting off knee surgery until after the season.

Coghlan, who tore the meniscus in his left knee celebrating a Marlins walk-off win July 25, will see a doctor Tuesday night according to Rodriguez who will inform him when he begin intense workouts. Assuming there isn't a setback, Coghlan will be sent to the minors for rehab work, not only for his swing, but to work out at third base. That's the position where the Marlins have him targeted. Rodriguez said Coghlan could become average defensively at third. His weakness: side-to-side range.

"I think the treatments have been going well so far," Rodriguez said. "... I think we're going to try to start some rehab on the field. [After] tonight, we'll have a better idea of when and how intensive that training will be. Surgery is still an option."

> Marlins catcher John Baker, on the 60-day disabled list with a strained right flexor muscle near his elbow, said Tuesday his throwing program is going much better than the last time he tried to return and he's hoping to rejoin to the team -- at the latest -- before the Mets series at CitiField Aug. 24-26.

Baker said he threw for the fifth consecutive day Tuesday, a 10-minute session which featured 70 tosses from about 75 feet. "This week is big is because if I get over 120 feet by the end of the week, if that goes well, hopefully I'll start a rehab assignment next week and be back real soon," Baker said. "They'll probably say later, but two weeks is probably the fastest I could do it."

Baker, who hasn't played since May 12, said he's remained in shape and has continued to swing the bat regularly. "It's all about timing," Baker said. "It's about facing live pitching and the stresses of running out on the field. Once I get that over with, I can come back."

> LUNA GETS FIRST START: Sean West won't be the only Marlin making his first start in the big leagues this season. Hector Luna, called up Friday from New Orleans, is at third base and will bat eighth. Luna hit .294 with 16 home runs and 71 RBI in 97 games at Triple A New Orleans.

With the departure of Jorge Cantu, manager Edwin Rodriguez said Wes Helms is the starting third baseman but Luna would see time at third and first base once or twice a week. Luna hasn't had a big league at-bat since he singled in his only at-bat for the Blue Jays on May 17, 2008.

“He’s a guy like Donnie Murphy,” Rodriguez said. “We have to keep those guys sharp so when they come off the bench they can make some contributions.”

> IS THAT RAY FINKLE?: Newly acquired left-handed specialist Will Ohman, acquired from the Orioles when the Marlins were in San Diego over the weekend, began moving into his new locker at Sun Life Stadium Tuesday. At least we thought it was Ohman. 

The 33-year old quirky veteran greeted the media wearing an aqua colored t-shirt with the number five and the last name Finkle spelled across the back, an ode to the fictional character in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective starring Jim Carrey. "I thought it was it finally appropriate to break it out," Ohman said. "Dolphins colors. Why not?"

Among the goodies Ohman was stuffing into his locker: An action figure of The Dude from The Big Lebowski, "complete with rug," as Ohman pointed out. "He lost his shades in one of the moves," said Ohman, who has pitched for the Cubs, Braves, Dodgers and Orioles since 2007. "I can bring some levity."