MIAMI – Third baseman Chris Johnson was out of the lineup Wednesday for the second time in the first three games, all of them against Marlins right-handed starters.
Center fielder Eric Young was also out of the lineup as manager Fredi Gonzalez gave newcomer Cameron Maybin his first start. With Young out, Gonzalez moved rookie second baseman up from the second spot to bat leadoff, and Andrelton Simmons hit second.
Simmons batted eighth in the first two games, and Gonzalez initially had Simmons in the eighth spot Wednesday and Maybin second. He asked his hitting coaches and first-base coach Terry Pendleton, who all suggested Simmons bat second. Gonzalez took the advice and Maybin hit eighth.
Gonzalez might give infielder Phil Gosselin a start at second base in Friday’s home opener against the Mets, and said Maybin might get a second consecutive start in center Friday against Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese.
The manager said Johnson would be in a “soft platoon” at third base with Albert Callaspo for now, with Johnson playing against lefties and some right-handers. Gonzalez said Monday, when Johnson was out of the opening-day lineup that he planned to play him each of the last two games of the series, but changed his mind.
Gonzalez had thought Niese was to pitch Saturday, but found out later the Mets lefty would start Friday. Rather than play Johnson in consecutive games, he started Callaspo Wednesdsay. The two players will have alternated starts for the first four games assuming Johnson plays Friday.
