Starting lineups: Marlins vs. Nats in West Palm Beach (updated)

By Pete Kerzel

Nationals

March 09, 2017, 2:49am

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - With the uncertainty surrounding ace Max Scherzer's availabiity to start the season because of an injury, each start right-hander A.J. Cole makes carries with it greater importance.

If Scherzer has to start the season on the disabled list, Cole seems to be the most likely candidate to assume a place in the rotation. Cole gets the ball today against the Marlins, hoping to improve on the 13.50 ERA he's posted in two Grapefruit League starts. In 4 2/3 innings, he's allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits, with two walks and two strikeouts.

JosÃ© Lobaton starts behind the plate today for the Nationals. Yesterday, manager Dusty Baker said he was having trouble finding innings for all of his catchers and that he might have to resort to playing them in minor league games to get their game repetitions.

Update: Jayson Werth is now in the starting lineup, replacing Chris Heisey in left field and batting fifth.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. MIAMI MARLINS
Where: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Marlins broadcast)
Weather: Partly sunny, 79 degrees, wind 9 mph from right field to left field

MARLINS

2B Dee Gordon
RF Ichiro Suzuki
DH Marcell Ozuna
1B Justin Boar
LF Dustin Hood
CF Brandon Barnes
3B Matt Juengel
C Ramon Cabrera
SS Adeiny Hechavarria

LHP Dillon Peters

NATIONALS
SS Trea Turner
CF Adam Eaton
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Jayson Werth
1B Ryan Zimmerman
C JosÃ© Lobaton
2B Grant Green
DH Stephen Drew

RHP A.J. Cole