As Don Mattingly has named four of the five starters in the Marlins rotation, the smart money on the fifth spot has been on Adam Conley or Jose Urena. Given his rough 2016 and his unimpressive start to spring training, Justin Nicolino was the dark horse candidate. However, given the success he has enjoyed over his past three outings, Nicolino is charging to the post in a late flurry.
The stat line from these three outings, two of which were starts, is impressive: 12 IP, eight hits, one earned run, two walks and five strikeouts.