Sanchez eager for Marlins' spring opener

JUPITER — Right-hander Anibal Sanchez won't be the Marlins' opening day starter next month, but he'll start their Grapefruit League opener Wednesday against the Cardinals.

"He's healthy. He's good to go,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Sunday.

For Sanchez, the opening-spring start is a huge mental lift for a pitcher who, this time a year ago, missed spring training while struggling through a slow recovery from shoulder surgery.

"I don't care if it's the first, second or third game. I just want to be ready for the season,'' he said.

Right-handers Ricky Nolasco and Josh Johnson are the leading contenders to start the Marlins' season opener April 6 against Washington. Both will pitch Tuesday in an intrasquad game behind the Marlins' clubhouse on Field 2.

Sanchez made his 2008 debut on July 31 and finished 2-5 with a 5.57 ERA. After one week of drills this spring, his teammates say he looks better than he did last year.

"The main thing that I've seen is that he trusts himself more than he did last year,'' said catcher John Baker.

"He was kind of throwing a little bit at the end of the year and thinking it might hurt. That's a tough mental obstacle to overcome, coming off of surgery. He has had time to prepare himself better. He feels better and he'll believe in himself more. It'll be fun to see him Wednesday.''

The Cardinals, who will be the home team, will throw Blake Hocksworth. The Marlins haven't announced who will start Thursday in Port St. Lucie against the Mets - Chris Volstad could get the call. The Mets will start Oliver Perez.

The Marlins will play their first game of the spring today in a six-inning intrasquad game around 10:30 a.m. on Field 2. Left-hander Sean West will start against right-hander Eulogio De La Cruz.

(palmbeachpost.com)