Inbox: How many pitchers will Marlins carry?

Beat reporter Joe Frisaro answers questions from Miami fans

March 8th, 2017

Are the Marlins going with 13 pitchers to protect ? If one goes on the DL (perhaps Jeff Locke), do they go with 12 pitchers and add a bench player? Or will it be 13 pitchers, no matter what?
-- @ealfonsoj

Not wanting to get ahead of themselves, the club is saying Urena is "on the bubble." I'm not buying that. I believe he will be on the team. It's well documented that the right-hander is out of options, and if Urena isn't on the Opening Day roster, he most likely will be grabbed up quickly on waivers. He's young, throws 95 mph and has upside. I don't think Spring Training is necessarily a "tryout" camp for Urena. He's already looked good in at least one outing.
Will the Marlins go with 13 pitchers, eight of them relievers? I believe so. It is very possible Locke will start off the season on the disabled list, which increases the importance of retaining Urena.
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If Miami decides to go with a fifth bench player, I believe that could come down to manager Don Mattingly making the call, because he'd be most comfortable with the extra man. But either way, I think Urena will be on the team.
Top two reasons to be optimistic for this season?
-- @LasnerSport

The core position players are very good. We've seen it already that when they're in the Spring Training games, the Marlins generally are leading or the game is close. When they exit, things haven't gone as smoothly. The second reason is the bullpen. I do think there is plenty of depth. There will be a handful of relievers who could contribute immediately at the big league level but who will open the season in Triple-A. If they stay healthy, the bullpen should be a major strength.
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In my opinion, I believe that has impressed early on. Can he make the Opening Day Major League roster?
-- @Bschiller

Ranked fifth in Miami's system by MLBPipeline.com, Peters has already impressed. The Marlins are giving him a start on Thursday at the Nationals, so that will be a good test. But a handful of innings in Grapefruit League action doesn't tell too much, other than if a player looks like he has the skills to belong in the big leagues. I expect Peters to open the season at Double-A Jacksonville. I think his timeline to reach the Majors is around mid-June or the All-Star break.

So far: The good, bad and the ugly?
-- @TKorkeamaki

The good: The offense is producing runs. The bad: The pitching in the late innings of Grapefruit League games is yielding far too many runs. The ugly: Some of the injuries that have set back players who are expected to be big contributors like Locke (left biceps tendinitis) and catcher A.J. Ellis (left hamstring).
Does have a chance of making the team as a backup first baseman?
-- @itzMLB

Yes, he does. But it may be as a result of an injury or two. Moore fits the right-handed-hitting first-base option, and he's played some left field in games. If the Marlins go with a fifth bench player, Moore could be the choice. He has an out clause in his Minor League deal. If Moore doesn't make the team but wants to remain in the organization, he could open at Triple-A and be a candidate for a callup.
Who has impressed you most this Spring Training aside from ?
-- @debbie25lw

Dee Gordon, , , J.T. Realmuto and pretty much all the regular position players have looked fine. is simplifying movement in his swing, and he is not chasing pitches as often. Once his timing is right, he could be primed for a big year. But I don't worry about the regulars -- pitchers or hitters. All they need to do is get ready for the season. The prospect who has shown me something is Peters.