Marlins prepare for Straily to go on DL

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The injury list keeps growing for the Marlins, and on Saturday, the team said right-hander Dan Straily is expected to open the season on the disabled list.
Chances are also growing that catcher J.T. Realmuto and shortstop JT Riddle may not be ready when the season begins on Thursday against the Cubs at Marlins Park.
Straily has been in a no-throw period after an MRI taken on Monday showed right forearm inflammation. But after discussing further with the doctors, Straily's no-throw window expanded to 10 days, and he is expected to begin throwing on Friday.
"He feels fine," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "The thing with us was more from the doctors. They felt like to be the safest, there could be no inflammation in there right now, but if you wait the 10-day period, you're going to be assured that there is nothing in there."
Straily had initially been scheduled to be Miami's No. 2 starter and face the Cubs on Friday. Now, it appears the earliest the right-hander will be available is mid-April, but that isn't guaranteed.
"I think the best thing to talk about is how he feels after he throws," Mattingly said. "It's really more about him throwing and then we evaluate."
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Realmuto sustained a low back bruise on March 11 against the Yankees, and he has not caught pitching or swung a bat since. On Saturday morning, he played catch for the third straight day.
"He's throwing again today," Mattingly said. "Again, progressing. But obviously not at the pace you would like."
Asked if Realmuto could open on the DL, Mattingly said: "I don't think we want to get there yet, but let's see where it goes."
If Realmuto starts off on the DL, Tomás Telis is expected to be the regular catcher, and Chad Wallach is the other backstop on the 40-man roster. Bryan Holaday, who is not on the 40-man roster, is also in camp.
"We're dealing with some things now. It's not ideal," Mattingly said. "I think it's something we shouldn't look at it like, 'Poor us,' in any way. I think this is just part of challenges you have as an organization going through the season."
Riddle is dealing with right shoulder soreness. There's a chance the shortstop could start the season on the DL, but that could change if he shows progress in the upcoming days. Riddle has been getting at-bats on backfields in Minor League games. Miguel Rojas will open the season as the starting shortstop.
The rotation is the most unsettled aspect of the roster, and it likely won't be set until Wednesday.
Besides Opening Day starter José Ureña, no other spots have been announced. Odrisamer Despaigne is expected to make the starting five and perhaps pitch in the second spot. Lefties Caleb Smith and Justin Nicolino, along with right-hander Jacob Turner, are in the mix.
The Marlins also may have to reconsider some pitchers who recently were sent down to the Minors, like Sandy Alcantara, Adam Conley and Dillon Peters.
Trevor Richards, the No. 22 prospect on the team according to MLB Pipeline, could be a choice, but he isn't on the 40-man roster.
"That's one of the things we've talked about coming into camp -- we will not rush development," Mattingly said. "That's what sets us back and puts us in Brad Hand situations. You've rushed a guy to the big leagues, and now he's not ready and the clock ran out. You have to make a decision on something [that] you didn't get a chance to see the best product."
In 2016, Hand was out of options and was let go. The Padres picked him up, and the lefty was an All-Star in '17.