Wendle swings a hot bat; shows off versatility

JUPITER, Fla. -- Joey Wendle continues to show the Marlins that they made a good move in trading for him during the offseason.

Wendle went 3-for-3 in the Marlins’ 4-3 loss Sunday to the Astros at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, raising his batting average this spring to .438 (7-for-16). He did it from the leadoff spot in manager Don Mattingly’s lineup, further displaying his versatility -- not only in the field, where he can play three positions, but also at the plate.

“It’s good to have a day like that,” Wendle said. “Feel like you’re getting there on the right track for the start of the season.”

Mattingly said that Wendle, an All-Star last season in his fourth year with the Rays, fits nicely into the Marlins’ plan to move players around both defensively and in the lineup because of his versatility.

“You want that offense, the total package, and that’s what Joey’s been,” Mattingly said of the 31-year-old veteran infielder. “He goes hard all the time. This guy plays with a little bit of an edge, and that’s something we like.”

Whether Wendle will see more time in the leadoff spot going forward remains to be seen, and Mattingly said anything is possible. As for Wendle, it doesn’t matter to him where he plays defensively or hits in the lineup.

“I like being in the lineup,” he said. “This is a fun group to play with. We take pride in our defense, and I think we’re going to be a solid group defensively this year, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it in some capacity, whatever that is. ... Just give me a bat and a helmet, and I’m ready to go.”

Decisions, decisions, decisions
The Marlins have only seven games remaining on their spring schedule before breaking camp on April 5. The shortened Spring Training schedule this year means Miami has less time than usual to assess players before finalizing its Opening Day roster, which will be expanded to 28 players to start the season.

“The DH gets more guys into the lineup, and the pitcher doesn’t have to hit, so that’s one of those [things] I don’t have to think too much about,” Mattingly said. “Getting to see the new guys, it’s probably a little tougher, because you’re not going to get as many looks as you would in a normal spring, where there’s a lot of at-bats for guys.”

Nonetheless, Mattingly believes the Major League roster is taking shape.

“I think we have a pretty good idea of who we have in camp, what we need from our last couple of decisions we’ve got to make,” the Marlins skipper said. “That’s what we’ll be doing this last week, trying to give guys as much opportunity to be seen so the front office can look at it, our coaching staff can look at it, and hopefully, make a good decision.”

Mattingly also said the expanded roster for the first month will be a huge help.

“Those extra pitchers are going to be valuable in April,” he said.