Starting rotation taking shape

The Florida Marlins sent 11 players to minor league camp on Wednesday, including several pitchers who will make up most of the club’s starting rotation to begin the season.

Right-handers Alex Sanabia, Shawn Hill and Tom Koehler were sent to the minors along with lefty Sean West. Sanabia and West have already been assigned to New Orleans, and it is expected that Hill and Koehler will also end up with the Zephyrs.

The fifth spot in the rotation could go to Elih Villanueva, if he doesn’t make the big league club. Otherwise, Adalberto Mendez has already been sent to the Z’s, and would be the likely fifth starter.

Relievers Steve Cishek and Dustin Richardson have been added to the Zephyrs’ bullpen, which already includes Jose Ceda. Bryan Petersen, who played in 91 games with the Z’s last year, will begin 2011 in the New Orleans outfield.

With the team taking shape, the Zephyrs will take to the field as a unit for the first time tomorrow afternoon, when they host the Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. We’ll have coverage of each spring game on Zephyrsbaseball.com.