According to mlb.com, outfielder Josh Willingham of the Florida Marlins has been placed on the 15-day DL retroactive toApril 8th, due to lower back soreness. Willingham has been hot to start the year, batting .341 with 6 homers and 16 RBIs. The Marlins have managed to hang tight in the N.L. East race thus far, sitting just .5 games behind the division leading Phillies entering play tonight.

In order to off-set the loss of pop in the middle of the order, the Marlins will bat shortstop Hanley Ramirez third, as opposed to lead-off. This move might better suit the young Ramirez, as he’ll most likely have more RBI chances, and is one of the best young hitter in baseball today.

Filed under: Florida Marlins