Marlins reassigned RHP Travis Bowyer, C Chris Ashby, RHP Jacob Marceaux, RHP Ryan Tucker, LHP Sean West and LHP Aaron Thompson to minor league camp.
A healthy Bowyer would have contended for a bullpen spot, but he appears set to miss a second straight season after undergoing shoulder surgery in August.
Renyel Pinto gave up two runs in 1 2/3 innings Friday against the Cardinals and has a 15.00 ERA through three appearances.
He's given up eight hits, walked six and hit three batters in three innings. Pinto had some major command problems for a time in 2005, but he bounced back well last year and is being counted on to aid the Florida bullpen this season. Since he's out of options, his roster spot should remain secure unless he's terrible all month.
Jose Garcia is sidelined because of elbow inflammation and isn't scheduled to resume throwing off a mound for several days.
Garcia entered camp as a long shot to win a rotation spot, but he's also an option to pitch out of the bullpen. Now it's more likely that he'll return to the minors. He was reportedly throwing just 84-87 mph in his lone appearance of the spring.
MLB.com believes Matt Lindstrom has gained an edge in the competition to become the Marlins' closer.
Says the same Marlins writer who claimed Kevin Gregg was the favorite entering camp. Lindstrom has allowed one run and has a 1/2 K/BB ratio in 3 1/3 innings this spring. He's the hardest thrower in the pen, and there's a chance he's ready to pitch effectively for an inning at a time. The Marlins, though, have no sure things in their pen right now.
Taylor Tankersly, who is out because of tendinitis is his pitching shoulder, is scheduled to throw off flat ground Saturday.
The southpaw has been shut down the past week, but still remains the leading candidate for the Marlins closer position.
Jose Garcia is scheduled for light throwing Monday to test his swollen right elbow, but isn't feeling to optimistic about it.
Garcia felt discomfort after pitching two innings in a March 2 game against Baltimore, then couldn't complete a bullpen session two days later. He has been shut down since and an MRI revealed some inflammation. "I felt something, but just a little," Garcia said. "I stretched out good and felt warm. During the game everything was fine, but maybe I exerted myself a little too much."
Dan Uggla doubled twice and drove in four runs Saturday to lead the Marlins to an 8-5 win over the Dodgers.
Uggla entered the day 2-for-17. The Marlins could have considered dropping him down to more of an RBI spot this year, but he's again expected to bat second behind Hanley Ramirez. It worked well enough last season.
Ricky Nolasco, who missed his last start with back spasms, surrendered one run over 2 2/3 innings Saturday against the Dodgers.
"The back feels fine," he said. "For a couple of days it was lingering but with all the treatment and resting and being careful with it, it went away." Nolasco is in line to act as the Marlins' No. 4 starter.