Hendrickson Favorite for Opening Day with Olsen Out

[Ramp]

In the event the Marlins don't announce their Opening Day starter before then, keep an eye on the March 21 game against the Astros.

Whoever pitches that day is all but sure to oppose Johan Santana and the New York Mets 10 days later at Dolphin Stadium.

With Sergio Mitre out and Scott Olsen playing catch up, left-hander Mark Hendrickson is the new front-runner for that assignment. He did nothing to hurt his chances Thursday night, holding the Nationals to one run on three hits with six strikeouts in five innings at Space Coast Stadium.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he would like to have his rotation lined up two starts before the regular-season opener. Hendrickson would welcome the Opening Day opportunity, but cautioned against placing too much emphasis on the first game.

"That's a feather-in-your-cap type deal," he said. "That's one thing not many guys get the opportunity to do. Most importantly for myself and everybody else, we're preparing for a six-month season. That opening night everybody kind of gets excited like the first day of spring training, but once it's over every game is just as important."

Olsen entered spring training as the odds-on favorite for the Opening Day nod, but a bout of shoulder tendinitis has set him back enough to eliminate him from consideration. Olsen threw another pain-free bullpen session Thursday and on Sunday will throw a simulated game.

If all goes well, Olsen could see Grapefruit League action late next week. That won't allow enough time to get him stretched out for Opening Day.

"We'll slot him in there a little later in the rotation," Gonzalez said. "Pushing him to No. 1 will be too quick. It'll be pushing it to get him to the first series."

Gonzalez said the more likely scenario is for Olsen to pitch the first game of the second home series against the Pirates on April 4.

Sun Sentinel

[!NICK!]

I think I'm gonna go to that game on the 21st. Should be interesting.