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Penn remains in mix for spot in rotation

Veteran righty, who added slider, impressive this spring

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By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

03/11/10 12:42 PM ET

JUPITER, Fla. -- For someone who is out of options, Hayden Penn is certainly creating opportunity.

Entering Spring Training, the 25-year-old right-hander was regarded as a long shot to win a rotation spot. Now, the way he is throwing the ball, don't count him out.

"Right now, I'm not ruling him out for being one of the five," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We always mention his name as being in the mix, and he's still in the mix. Worst-case scenario, he's a guy in the bullpen or the sixth guy."

Penn improved his stock with three perfect innings against the Astros on Wednesday in Kissimmee, Fla.

Making his first start, and second appearance, the righty was clocked in the 92-93 mph range. He's added a sinker to his arsenal this spring and induced six ground-ball outs from the Astros.

"It's a new pitch for me," Penn said. "Getting ground balls is a good sign. I felt like it had some late life. It's still a work in progress. But it's an encouraging sign to get ground balls when I'm behind in the count."

Florida has maintained there are six candidates for three rotation spots -- Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad, Sean West, Rick VandenHurk, Andrew Miller and Penn.

It's still too early to determine the front-runners, although Sanchez and Volstad are viewed as favorites. Still, anything can happen, and more telling signs will surface as pitchers build up toward the 100-pitch mark.

Getting through the batting order once isn't the most accurate measure. But working in Penn's favor is the fact he is performing.

His situation is pretty clear. Without any options left, Penn would have to make the Opening Day roster or the Marlins would risk losing him.

Based on how he's thrown, it is doubtful that if Penn is designated for assignment that he would clear waivers. Another possibility is he can be traded later in the month, if the Marlins feel he isn't part of their plans.

Considering he went through this routine last year, Penn is better prepared to handle being in a position of making it or moving on.

This time last year, Penn was out of options with the Orioles. Shortly before Opening Day, he was deal to the Marlins for infielder Robert Andino.

Penn opened 2009 pitching in long relief, and he had a rough time with Florida, posting a 7.77 ERA in 22 innings. He eventually was designated for assignment, cleared waivers and went to Triple-A New Orleans. Late in the season, he started performing.

"When we got him in that trade for Andino, you've got to give him credit," Gonzalez said. "He went to New Orleans and pitched well. The reports were good. Over the course of the year, as a starter, he was pitching well. Coming into camp this year, he's continued to pitch well. Good for him."

Even if he isn't in the rotation, the Marlins may decide to keep him as a reliever and use him as an emergency starter.

After the season, Florida added Penn to its 40-man roster.

"I definitely know what the process is like," Penn said. "Last year, I was kind of wondering, day in and day out. It's so hard to get guys out as it is. To worry about other stuff makes it impossible.

"You have no control over anything but what you do. My mindset this year is, 'Do what you can do, and let everything else take care of itself.' "

Having already gone through the anxiety of not knowing his status has prepared him for it in Spring Training.

"It definitely made it easier," he said. "Last year, I was wrestling with it all the time. It's so hard to compete at this level, you don't need anything else."

Penn has repeatedly said in camp if he doesn't perform on the mound, it doesn't matter how much he speculates about where he might wind up.

"What can I do but go out and pitch?" he said. "It's the only thing I can do. If I don't get it done, I don't get it done. Then [worrying is] a moot point anyway.

"All I can worry about is what I do when I get out there between the lines. I like it here. Not just the organization, but the guys are good guys, good teammates."

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.