Haren likely to start first Grapefruit League tilt Thursday

JUPITER, Fla. -- Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Sunday that veteran right-hander Dan Haren likely will be the starting pitcher for the Grapefruit League opener on Thursday against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium.

Haren, 34, was acquired from the Dodgers in December, but he took about a month to announce whether he would join the Marlins or retire after expressing his preference to pitch for a West Coast team. The native Californian told Redmond and the media on the first day of Spring Training that he was committed to the Marlins and that the reports of his indecision were "probably overblown."

The durable Haren has made at least 30 starts in each of the last 10 seasons, and he is expected to be a key part of the Marlins' rotation.

• Left-hander Brad Hand is scheduled to start Monday's exhibition game against Florida International University.

• Redmond said that right-hander Jose Urena, one of the Marlins' top prospects, will start Tuesday's game against the University of Miami.

• Wednesday is an off-day for the players before they start their Grapefruit League schedule Thursday against the Cards.