JUPITER, Fla. -- The Marlins take a day off on Wednesday and it comes at a good time for a couple of players still looking to get to 100 percent this spring.
• Left-handed pitcher Jeff Locke threw on Monday and continues to progress from biceps tendinitis.
"He came out of yesterday fine," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "No throwing today. He's back on for tomorrow. So he's still progressing and feeling good."
• Catcher A.J. Ellis, battling a hamstring injury, was able to hit and throw on Monday.
"We're thinking that after this off-day [Wednesday] that we'll be pretty close to him being back to looking like a regular guy again," Mattingly said. "So kind of starting to building up towards a game somewhere without any setbacks."
• The news is encouraging for a return soon for Odrisamer Despaigne, still resting a nagging oblique injury. Mattingly reported that the right-hander is able to roll over in bed without pain and is getting up and moving around.
"He's doing better," said Mattingly. "He's still five to seven days away from starting to play catch."
• Right-handed pitcher Brad Ziegler took a personal day and was not available to the Marlins on Tuesday, but is expected back when they return to action on Thursday.