Tim

Spooneybarger

The Marlins aren’t done looking for bullpen help after the Urbina trade. With Spooneybarger out, they continue to look for relievers.

Spooneybarger hopes to be 100 percent by the start of spring training. If he’s at full strength, he could emerge as Guillermo Mota’s top setup man.

Spooneybarger says it’s just normal soreness.

Spooneybarger and Bump are better bets for 2005 than Todd Jones, and Howard, who is out of options, still has quite a bit of potential. The Marlins may not have helped themselves by adding four right-handed relievers in the offseason, especially since the first two that were signed, Jones and Antonio Alfonseca, are potential busts.

Spooneybarger is on pace to finish the season with 103 innings. He didn’t pitch Sunday, but was asked to warm up at one point despite the fact he threw an inning Saturday and two Friday. ''It raises some questions in my head,’' Spooneybarger said. ''Hopefully, I’ll hold up.’' Yes, hopefully another Marlins manager won’t run another promising young arm into the ground.

Spooneybarger was placed on the DL yesterday with tendinitis. He’s hopeful that the minor pain he’s experiencing isn’t serious.

Spooneybarger is expected to return June 27 when he’s eligible.

An August or September return is more likely, and it’s probably not a good idea for the Marlins to count on either happening. Although he missed more than half of last season, Spooneybarger didn’t undergo Tommy John surgery until September.

Spooneybarger hasn’t thrown off a mound in a month, and should need until mid-August to return.

A routine exam by Andrews still could not determine the source or cause of Spooneybarger’s symptoms. His season is over, but he could return for spring training unless Andrews finds ligament damage.