MIAMI -- With the Miami Marlins starting lineup and rotation all but official following a busy offseason of moves, spring training became a time of preparation rather than competition.
Young guys like Justin Bour and J.T. Realmuto stuck around long enough to learn from the veterans. But because of their limited big-league experience, they began the year in the minors to get consistent playing time and grooming. Perhaps in another organization they would've made the Opening Day roster.
Less than a month into the season that pair as well as top prospect Jose Urena have already spent time with the ballclub because of various circumstances. Realmuto has taken over starting duties at catcher. Urena got a brief taste of the majors before returning to the minors. It's a luxury the Marlins didn't have in the past.
"It's a good thing that we have so much depth in the organization all the way through the minors," Bour said. "It's a good problem to have."
In his start on Saturday to give everyday first baseman Michael Morse a breather, Bour went 2 for 3 with a walk and two RBI from the fifth spot in the order.
Bour, who got recalled from Triple-A New Orleans prior to Friday's opener, didn't know he would be playing until he saw the lineup posted in the clubhouse on Saturday morning.
"Just got to be ready to play," Bour said. "It doesn't matter what day. I was fully ready to play yesterday. I wasn't in the lineup, but you have to come in every single day ready to go."
Added manager Mike Redmond: "That was a great day. He had some great at-bats, and like I said, we wanted to give Morse a little bit of a blow. And it's always nice when you do rest your guy and don't have to use him as a pinch-hitter. Give him a full day off, and fortunately we were able to give him the full day off."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
