JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Whatever attention the Miami Marlins receive this year will be focused largely on youngsters such as 23-year-old Nathan Eovaldi.
That was clear Tuesday, when pitchers and catchers worked out for the first time.
With Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Anibal Sanchez and Heath Bell departing in last year’s payroll purge, the Marlins are rebuilding their pitching staff relying on young arms. Eovaldi and 21-year-old Jacob Turner are slotted for spots in the rotation, and third-year big leaguer Steve Cishek is the likely closer.
Top pitching prospect Jose Fernandez wore No. 78 Tuesday, which reflects the Marlins’ thinking that he’s at least a few months away from being ready for the big leagues. But he’ll get a long look in his first spring-training camp.
