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Miami Marlins to begin six-man rotation

 
 

Miami Marlins pitcher Wade LeBlanc delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of a baseball game, the second game of a doubleheader, on Aug. 22, 2012, in Phoenix.
Miami Marlins pitcher Wade LeBlanc delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of a baseball game, the second game of a doubleheader, on Aug. 22, 2012, in Phoenix.
Matt York / AP

cspencer@MiamiHerald.com

The Marlins plan on going with a six-man rotation for the remainder of the season, with Wade LeBlanc jumping back into the starting mix. LeBlanc will start Tuesday against the Brewers, and rookie Jacob Turner, who was scheduled to start Tuesday, will be pushed back to Friday.

“LeBlanc will start just because we worry about Turner’s innings,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I don’t want to burn bullets with a guy when we don’t need it. It gives us an opportunity to rest the guys and see the kids.”

Each member of the regular rotation will miss one start under the six-man scheme.

Guillen said he also plans to stick with Jose Reyes and Giancarlo Stanton as his Nos. 3 and 4 hitters.

“Reyes has been a leadoff hitter all his life,” Guillen said. “But to me — this is my opinion — it fits us good that he’s a third hitter. He’s a free swinger and can put the ball in play. And, besides, he’s not afraid to drive a run in.”

Winter plans

Now that he has gained a newfound sense of security by proving he belongs in the majors, outfielder Justin Ruggiano said he intends to stop playing winter ball, shed a few pounds and work on improving his speed over the winter.

“This year has given me new hope and new life,” Ruggiano said. “It’s kind of reinvigorated me for the offseason and how I go about my training and which areas I need to work on.

“If playing center field is something they’re looking at me to do, then maybe slimming down a little bit and getting faster is something I should do.”

Ruggiano said he will also give up winter ball for the first time in four years.

Coming up

•  Tuesday: Marlins LHP Wade LeBlanc (2-3, 2.49) vs. Milwaukee Brewers RHP Shaun Marcum (5-4, 3.35), 7:10 p.m., Marlins Park.

•  Wednesday: Marlins RHP Nathan Eovaldi (4-10, 4.48) vs. Brewers TBA, 7:10 p.m., Marlins Park.

•  Scouting report: LeBlanc will be making his first start since Aug. 22, when he went seven innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks. In five starts this season, LeBlanc has gone 1-2 with a 3.29 ERA.

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