Sean West Impressing Marlins in camp; Anibal Sanchez hurt?

As I stated in an earlier post, Sean West is fighting for his Miami Marlins life. Out of options, the Marlins would look to trade West if he does not make the team out of Spring Training.

So far this Spring, West is turning heads in Marlins camp. West had surgery on his left elbow at the end of last season, and it is paying major dividends now. According to the team, West looks “dominating” so far in camp. West now has a good chance to break camp with a bullpen spot with the Marlins.

After catching one of West’s bullpen sessions, catcher Brett Hayes said that his stuff was the nastiest he’d ever seen.

"“92, 93 miles per hour coming out of the hand with a change up and biting slider. He’s back to looking like that guy. What he threw today, [catcher Brett] Hayes said it was the nastiest he’s ever seen from him.”"

Ozzie Guillen told West there is no reason he should not be in the majors with the stuff he has. Guillen also told West to pick the brain of fellow lefty Mark Buehrle.

West acknowledges that he knows the rotation is set. West is prepared to take on a reliever role though.

"“I want to do whatever I can to help this team because I definitely don’t want to miss out on what is in store for this year — new ballpark, new guys om the team.“It’s going to be a fun one to be a part of and I don’t wnt to miss out. So whatever they want me to do, I’m all for it.”"

West is slated to start the day game vs. the New York Mets on Wednesday. Here is how the rest of the rotation is slated for the first week:

"Josh Johnson gets the nod in Monday’s Grapefruit League opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the team has split-squad days.Mark Buehrle will face the University of Miami on Tuesday night at Marlins Park, the team’s first game at the new stadium. During the day, Alex Sanabia will start against the Detroit Tigers at Roger Dean StadiumOn Wednesday, Ricky Nolasco will face Florida International University at Marlins Park. In the day game vs. the Mets in Jupiter, Sean West will start.Carlos Zambrano is lined up to start on Thursday at Port St. Lucie in a second straight meeting with the Mets. And Anibal Sanchez is tentatively set to go on Friday against the Washington Nationals."

Minor setback puts Anibal’s debut on hold

Anibal Sanchez was scheduled to throw tomorrow in an inter-squad team, but that was pushed back because the right-hander experienced some soreness behind his right shoulder after throwing off the mound on Friday. The team is saying that the set back is minor.

In 2007, Sanchez had surgery on his right shoulder. He however says that he had surgery on the front side of his shoulder, the pain he is experiencing is in the back this time.

The Marlins will monitor the righty and decide if he is going to be able to make his first Grapefruit League start on March 9 against the Washington Nationals.

Sanchez is a very important piece to the Marlins 2012 rotation if they contend. If Sanchez struggled with the injury more, expect Alex Sanabia and Sean West to compete for his rotation spot.