Coghlan, Ruggiano to platoon at center
Chris Coghlan, the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year, has a chance to win the starting center field job.
Coghlan not only won a roster spot out of camp, he will start Opening Day against the Washington Nationals.
But he will have to earn the job outright. Justin Ruggiano, who had been penciled in when camp opened as the starting center fielder, will platoon with Coghlan for now.
Ruggiano, who missed action in spring because of a sore back, will start the second game of the season April 3 against Washington lefty Gio Gonzalez.
"We'll probably platoon them for now and see who steps up," manager Mike Redmond said.
"If one of them obviously takes off, they're going to get the bulk of the playing. We're looking for somebody to spark our offense and that's the one position where we need some offense."
Catcher Miguel Olivo, who signed over the weekend after being released by Cincinnati, will likely start April 3. He will back up Rob Brantly for now.
The Marlins will have a decision to make once Jeff Mathis returns. Mathis, Miami's backup catcher, broke his collarbone Feb. 23 when he was hit by a pitch.
