Feb 27 2012, Jupiter, FL, USA: Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Ceda (50) during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE.

The injury is not considered to be serious by the team, but the possibility of Tommy John surgery has not been ruled out yet.

Ceda had made five Grapefruit League appearances.  He logged a 1.23 ERA in 7 1/3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts. It seemed like Ceda was finally going to make the impact that the Marlins had anticipated he would when they traded Kevin Gregg to the Chicago Cubs for his services.

This could be the second full season Ceda misses since joining the Marlins. In 2009, he was unable to pitch after undergoing shoulder surgery. The Marlins certainly hope that is not the case. It is reasonable to believe that he will be needed at some point this season.

With the bullpen all but set, the competition will now boil down to lefty Wade LeBlanc and righty Chad Gaudin. LeBlanc is already on the Marlins 40-man roster, while Gaudin is signed on a minor league deal.

While LeBlanc has been extremely effective this spring, the Marlins might send the lefty to Class AAA New Orleans where he can continue starting. This way the Marlins would have an option to call up to make a spot start or two. LeBlanc has one option remaining on his contract.

The other non-roster pitchers still remaining in big league camp include Rob Delaney, Gary Glover, J.D. Martin, Robert Ray and Beau Jones. It is not likely that any of them break camp with the team.

Sept. 21, 2011; Miami, FL, USA; Florida Marlins relief pitcher Leo Nunez (46) throws against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Sun Life Stadium. The Marlins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

A question that remains about the Marlins bullpen is how many people will be in the bullpen. The Marlins could carry just 12 hitters, meaning they would have 8 pitchers in the bullpen. If the Marlins decide they want to carry the usual 13 batters, then there will be 7 pitchers in the pen.

The pitchers that already have a role locked up in the Marlins 2012 bullpen are the following:

• Closer-Heath Bell
• Setup-Edward Mujica
• Setup-Steve Cishek
• LOGGY-Randy Choate
• Middle Relief-Michael Dunn
• Middle Relief-Ryan Webb

That is already 6 bullpen spots accounted for. The competition could be either for one or two spots depending on the Marlins decision of how many batters and pitchers they want to carry.

I have always been a believer in carrying an extra pitcher. You always want to be safe, not sorry when it comes to the amount of pitching you carry. Injuries are a major problem for pitchers all the time. The Marlins have been especially unlucky in this matter, it feels like.

Under the assumption that the Marlins decide to carry 13 hitters, as most teams do all the time, lets take a look at how the bullpen competition should shake out.

The Marlins would likely to be seeking to fill the long-relief role that has been vacated since Burke Badenhop was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. Here are the candidates that will look to win a chance to have that role.

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The 28-year-old Montz spent the 2011 season in Double-A Jacksonville. The former 17th rounder by the Expos hit .273 with 22 homeruns while splitting time behind the plate, first and the outfield for the Suns.

Ray, 27, has had big league time with Toronto in 2009 and 2010. The 6’4’’ righty posted a 4.18 ERA in seven scattered appearances during his two years with the Blue Jays. In 2011, Ray was removed from the 40-man roster in mid-May after starting the season on the minor league disabled list. He only appeared in 12 games last season between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Las Vegas, showing an ugly 6.75 ERA combined.

Both Montz and Ray will provide minor league depth for a farm system that is at the moment very weak. Both should likely being 2012 in Triple-A New Orleans.