Where to turn with Anibal Sanchez hampered by a right shoulder injury?
Well, Pedro Martinez is on the free agent market, but the veteran is believed to be looking for $5 million. So barring a dramatic drop in that figure, the Marlins don’t seem to be a choice. Paul Byrd is on the market, but his asking price has been $3 million.
Considering how cost conscious the Marlins are, those figures would be out of their league.
So the choice to find a replacement in the rotation likely will be internal. Sanchez’s spot comes up on Tuesday at Milwaukee, so there is time to make a decision.
Internally, Hayden Penn and Burke Badenhop have been used in long relief. Both have extensive experience starting.
In Penn’s case, there would be a question as to whether he is stretched out enough. Penn joined the Marlins in a trade from Baltimore late in Spring Training, and he hasn’t had a chance to starter either in a Grapefruit League or regular season game.
Penn’s longest stint has been three innings, at Chicago on May 2, when he threw 44 pitches.
Badenhop opened the season at Triple-A New Orleans, where he made two starts before being promoted to replace Andrew Miller when the left-hander went on the disabled list on April 20 with a right oblique strain. Badenhop threw two innings on Thursday, and the team would have to see if he is stretched out to throw 80-100 pitches.
Lefty Dan Meyer has been pitching out of the bullpen, and he’s been dependable. Meyer has started in the past, and he could be a choice. Chances are, however, the team will keep him as is.
Miller is on schedule to rejoin the rotation on May 16, so there isn’t a great need for a second lefty at the expense of removing a left-hander from the bullpen.
At the Minor League level, lefty Graham Taylor struggled in three big league starts, and he was sent down to Double-A Jacksonville.
A name to watch is Daniel Barone, who started for Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday. Barone would be lined up to pitch on Tuesday. He could be a short-term option. Barone has some big league experience. He’s not on the 40-man roster, however.
At Double-A, lefty prospect Sean West has been inconsistent, and the team is being careful not to rush his development. Same with Aaron Thompson.
– Joe Frisaro
