Nate

Bump

Bump doesn’t project as a setup man in the majors. He’s a middle reliever at best, and he’ll probably spend more time in the minors than in the majors over the next few years.

Fox didn’t play in the four games against the Giants.

It will be Bump’s first major league start. He’ll face the Mets.

He will rejoin the team on Tuesday.

Carl Pavano will start the first game. The Expos have yet to announce their second starter. John Patterson is expected to pitch the first game.

It’s not clear if he’ll receive an invite to spring training. A former first-round pick, Bump hasn’t appeared in a major league game since 2005. He’s spent all of the last two seasons at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and posted a 4.97 ERA over 26 games -- 25 starts -- in 2011.

All three are fighting for bullpen spots. Nump had a 3.57 ERA in 68 innings as a reliever last season, but there may not be an opening for him this year. Howard is out of options and might be dealt. Hagerty, a Rule 5 pick, will have to be offered back to the Cubs if he fails to win a job.

The Marlins haven’t committed to starting Al Leiter in place of Josh Beckett, but Bump should be in middle relief, not the rotation. He’s not much of an option in fantasy leagues.

If not for Ismael Valdez’s injury, the Marlins would have dumped Bump despite a great spring. Now they’re demoting him even though he has a 3.51 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Last year, he had a 3.57 ERA in 68 innings as a reliever. He hasn’t been one of the Marlins’ problems, and he deserves better treatment.

Bump didn’t appear all that likely to have a job a few weeks ago, but he has forced the the Marlins to carry him as a middle reliever. He’ll be useful.