The Florida Marlins got another strong start from ace Josh Johnson but a bad ending from their closer Thursday. Johnson struck out four in three scoreless innings before the St. Louis Cardinals beat up on closer Leo Nunez during a five-run ninth for a 5-3 win. Nunez, who saved 26 games last season, allowed four hits before leaving with two outs and runners at second and third.

The Florida Marlins got another strong start from ace Josh Johnson but a bad ending from their closer Thursday. Johnson struck out four in three scoreless innings before the St. Louis Cardinals beat up on closer Leo Nunez during a five-run ninth for a 5-3 win. Nunez, who saved 26 games last season, allowed four hits before leaving with two outs and runners at second and third.

The Marlins are giving prospects Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez every chance to win the first base job this spring, but they have a backup plan if those two prospects fail to show they’re ready.

Infielder Jorge Jimenez arrived in camp competing for a bench spot, but he could wind up starting at third base and moving Jorge Cantu to first base.

“Who knows—Jimenez may win the job. We’ve got that kind of flexibility,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Let’s not put it out of the realm of possibility. If he plays good, he could play third and put Jorge at first. It fits.”

Jimenez was taken by Houston in the Rule 5 draft (from the Red Sox) in December but was immediately traded to the Marlins to complete the Matt Lindstrom trade.

Jimenez played 126 games at third…

Tim Wakefield spent a lot more time on the road than on the mound Tuesday, which was fine with him. The knuckleballer made the three-hour trip from Fort Myers and pitched three shutout innings to keep his spring training ERA at 0.00, helping the Boston Red Sox beat the Florida Marlins 9-0. The visitors' batting order looked like a lineup for the Pawtucket Red Sox, with designated hitter Jacoby…

The line score, while not pretty, wasn't as important to Washington Nationals left-hander Scott Olsen as how his surgically repaired shoulder felt in its first test. Olsen, making his first start since season-ending surgery last July, threw two innings in the Nationals' 11-2 loss against a Florida Marlins split squad Monday.

Florida Marlins center fielder Cameron Maybin learned a scary lesson over the weekend. Maybin said his strained left groin felt better Monday, but he'll miss at least a few spring training games. He was hurt rounding third base while scoring from first on a double Sunday against St. Louis. "I was trying to hit another gear," Maybin said.

Florida Marlins center fielder Cameron Maybin learned a painful lesson over the weekend.

Josh Beckett, the 29-year-old hurler who has won 106 games and lost only 68 since he debuted in the big leagues…

Ah, the season is FINALLY here. Its been a long (and cold for some) winter but Spring Training has arrived and the regular season will be upon us before you know it. Its time to take a look at the 2010 Florida Marlins! The Marlins are an annual pennant contender but fall apart late in the playoff race, not to mention the fact that they are in a division with the Phillies and the Mets. Could this be our year? Lets find out!

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Marlins ace Josh Johnson started earning his $39 million contract Saturday: He struck out Albert Pujols looking to end a perfect first inning. Making his first start since signing his four-year deal in January, Johnson allowed two earned runs in two innings in Florida's 6-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.