JUPITER, Fla. -- With Jesús Sánchez nursing intercostal soreness since Sunday, the Marlins have been able to get looks at other players in center field. It was Avisaíl García's turn in Thursday night's 7-4 Grapefruit League win over the Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

While Brian Anderson's adventurous foray on Wednesday was a first in his professional career, García has appeared at the position 90 times and has three Defensive Runs Saved. When García signed a four-year deal prior to the lockout, he volunteered to play center. Months later, Miami is still without a natural center fielder and has since pivoted to Sánchez. García will be the club's primary right fielder, but he could occasionally play in center.

"Avi's got a lot more experience out there, and he's just used to playing the outfield all the time, so he's a pretty easy choice," manager Don Mattingly said. "It was more about getting [Brian Anderson] in right than it was about getting Avi in center. When we talked to [Avi], and when we signed him, he told us from the beginning he could play center. We probably don't think it's really the best thing for him to be out there a lot, but we know he could play it."

In his first taste this spring, García caught a routine flyout to end the fourth. But in the fifth, he couldn't finish a shoestring catch on Paul DeJong's blooper (xBA .050). Anderson, meanwhile, misplayed Andrew Knizer's second-inning liner, which turned into a double. Anderson has appeared in right field 146 times in the big leagues, posting -4 Outs Above Average, six Defensive Runs Saved and 17 assists. Besides his center-field debut, he also has seen his first action in left this spring.

With more depth and an emphasis on offense, the Marlins will try to mix and match as well as keep guys fresh. García said a key to playing center field is being ready every pitch so there's a good chance to catch any ball. He credited coach Keith Johnson for prepping the outfield group.

"I felt a little weird, but I've got to get used to it," García said. "The more I play, I think the more I feel comfortable in center field, so let's see. Whatever they need, I'll be there."

Getting the work in
With Trevor Rogers and Elieser Hernandez lined up to pitch on the same day, Hernandez faced the Triple-A Cardinals on a back field earlier on Thursday. Miami's projected No. 4 starter allowed three runs on five hits across four innings. He struck out four and walked none, throwing 61 pitches (45 strikes).

Rogers (Miami's projected No. 3 starter) went 3 1/3 frames on the main field, giving up two runs on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts, with two against Nolan Arenado. Mattingly actually took Rogers out during a taxing third inning and had him go back out for the fourth to continue building up his pitch count (69 pitches/44 strikes).

"Last bullpen [pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.] and I were working on tempo, make sure everything was consistent getting down the mound," Rogers explained. "I felt a lot better than last time. Changeup was really good, [and I] threw a lot of good two-strike changeups. Probably could have thrown a little more in the zone, but I'll take the two-strike changeup in any count. That's when it's really effective. Fastball was playing really well. I think I had a couple misses down. They got some barrels on, but that was effective. It was playing really well. Spun a few, felt good. Slider still a work in progress, but it felt good tonight."

On the move
Jorge Soler stole second base on a pitch in the dirt during the first inning, then advanced to third on an errant throw. Soler has not recorded a stolen-base attempt since 2019, but he has 35 homers during that span.

Up next
Left-hander Jesús Luzardo will make his third Grapefruit League start at 1:05 p.m. ET on Friday against the Astros at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. He has not given up an earned run in seven spring innings.