Furcal headed to extend spring training

MIAMI -- When the Marlins head out of town on Monday to begin their first road trip of the regular season, Rafael Furcal will be heading to extended spring training at the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter, Fla.

Furcal will receive his treatment, and he eventually will start his rehab assignment. Recovering from a strained left hamstring, Furcal will be eased into game action. Once he is cleared to play in games, the veteran will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter.

Manager Mike Redmond said on Saturday afternoon that there is no exact timetable for when Furcal's rehab assignment will start. But once it does, the second baseman is expected to need close to the full 21 days allowed.

"We're just going to wait and see," Redmond said. "There is so much that can happen between now and that timeframe. I think the most important thing is that we get him healthy, and when he is healthy, he can come to the big leagues and play multiple days in a row."

It is appearing highly likely that Furcal could miss the entire month of April.

The Marlins are off to a good start, and they are platooning Derek Dietrich and Jeff Baker at second base until Furcal is ready.