Leo Nunez is working on his slider this spring.

The 27-year-old was hesitant to use the pitch after serving up a homer via slider early last season. Utilizing an effective slider should help Nunez return to good standing in the closer community. He already has an effective changeup and 96-mph fastball. "He threw some good ones in his side session," pitching coach Randy St. Claire said. "Last year, we talked about it, too. He started to throw it, and he gave up a home run early in the year on a slider. A lot of people questioned it. It came out in the media. He got beat by the slider, his third pitch, and he basically shut it down." Nunez posted a 3.46 ERA, 30 saves in 38 chances and a 71/21 K/BB over 65 innings with the Marlins last season. He lost the closer job towards the end of last season, but is the favorite for saves in 2011.

Marlins and RHP Leo Nunez avoided arbitration Monday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.65 million contract.

Nunez earned $2 million through the arbitration process last winter and posted a 3.46 ERA, 30 saves in 38 chances and a 71/21 K/BB over 65 innings with the Marlins last season. The 27-year-old right-hander lost the closer job towards the end of last season, but is the in-house favorite for saves in 2011.

Marlins GM Larry Beinfest said he "thinks" Leo Nunez will be the team's closer in 2011, but they'll have to "filter that out in spring training."

Nunez had a pretty nice year overall for the Marlins this past season, but he did blow eight saves and lost the closer gig late in the year. Ryan Webb, who was acquired from the Padres in the Cameron Maybin deal, could eventually find himself in some save opportunities, and Clay Hensley pitched well when in the role last year, but we fully expect Nunez to be the guy coming into the season.

The Marlins will offer arbitration to closer Leo Nunez.

They've made some silly moves recently, but this one was a no-brainer. Nunez blew eight saves in 2010 and lost his job at one point, but he's still expected to handle the ninth inning for the Marlins' revamped bullpen in 2011. The team is hoping recent signee John Buck, who played with Nunez in Kansas City, will be able to help his former teammate find more consistency.

Leo Nunez collected his 30th save of the season Thursday in the Marlins' defeat of the Pirates.

The Marlins are trying to rebuild Nunez's confidence and could give him another try at a save this weekend in favor of incumbent stopper Clay Hensley. Nunez has pitched better of late and seems to be over whatever ailed him in August and caused that ugly 9.31 ERA. One save can win a fantasy league.

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said he expects Leo Nunez to reclaim his closer role before the end of the season.

Nunez blew three of six saves chances in August while posting a 9.31 ERA and 2.48 WHIP. He has blown eight saves on the year. For the time being, Clay Hensley has taken over the ninth inning role, but even he doesn't expect to be the closer for long. ``In my mind, it's Nuny's job,'' Hensley said. ``They're just giving him time to clear his head and get back in the rhythm. But I'll enjoy the opportunity while I've got it."

Marlins interim manager Edwin Rodriguez said Monday that he has no intention of replacing Leo Nunez at closer.

The Fish blew their major league-leading 23rd game of the season Sunday against the Braves and Nunez was charged with his eighth blown save, but Rodriguez doesn't see a better solution. "If I had a little bit more options, he would be the setup guy right now,'' said the interim skipper.

Marlins interim manager Edwin Rodriguez said he might go to a closer's committee if Leo Nunez continues to struggle.

Nunez blew his last two save opportunities, on Saturday against St. Louis and on Thursday against Philadelphia. He also gave up three hits and one run in a non-save situation Wednesday against the Phillies. Rodriguez thinks Nunez is overusing his changeup. "We're trying to get him to use his fastball more," Rodriguez said. "We've been using the bullpen way too much, and that may be the reason he doesn't want to go with the fastball. For now, he's our closer, but if he doesn't make an adjustment, we may have to explore other options -- maybe do a closer by committee." Despite recent struggles, Nunez still has a 2.91 ERA and 49/12 K/BB rate over 46 1/3 innings. Florida would be wise to stick with him. Clay Hensley, Brian Sanches and Will Ohman would likely be in line for matchup-based saves if Nunez is given time off from the role.

The Marlins are not looking to trade either Leo Nunez or Cody Ross and are instead looking for relied help themselves, according to SI's Jon Heyman.

The Fish have won 10 of their last 14 and consider themselves still in the race despite being 7 1/2 games back of the Braves. They have already traded Jorge Cantu, but we don't expect any major moves on the horizon, whether it be an addition or subtraction from their roster.

Marlins interim manager Edwin Rodriguez said he "wants to stay away" from using Leo Nunez against the Braves on Friday night.

Nunez threw a total of 41 pitches securing wins on Wednesday and Thursday. It's likely that Rodriguez would turn to Jose Veras should a save opportunity present itself.

Leo Nunez pitched a scoreless ninth inning for a save and was one of six Marlin pitchers to combine on a shutout of the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Rookie Alex Sanabia started the game and only lasted 3 1/3 innings due primarily to not being stretched out. Burke Badenhop bailed him out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth, with Brian Sanchez, Jose Veras, Clay Hensley, and Nunez following to finish the shutout. Nunez picked up his 20th save in the process, tying him for seventh in the National League.

Leo Nunez suffered a minor scare when he fell off a chair when Mike Stanton leaped into the Marlins bullpen gate attempting to make a catch in the fourth inning of Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The impact of the leap caused the gate to fly open, sending Nunez tumbling back at least 10 feet and causing him to tweak his ankle. "I got scared, but I didn't think the door was going to open," said Nunez. "I crouched down and when I fell back I felt something pull, but I'm fine." Fortunately, he's just fine. And it's actually a little funny now that we know he's okay.

Leo Nunez closed the door on the Dodgers Monday with a perfect ninth to pick up his 18th save.

The right-hander notched a save for the second straight day, this after blowing his previous two opportunities. Nunez has converted 18 of 22 chances on the year and has a 3.12 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 9.1 K.9 rate.

Marlins closer Leo Nunez was awarded his eighth save of the season in Saturday's 7-4 defeat of the Mets.

Nunez was a bit shaky last season in the ninth inning, but has embraced the role this year and is showing no signs of a possible regression. He has a 1.10 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP through 16 1/3 innings.

Leo Nunez picked up his fifth save of the season with ease on Friday night.

Nunez has given up just one run while striking out 13 in 12 1/3 innings of work this season, tightening his grip on the closer's job. He's not nearly this good, but is building some job security with every outing.

After coming into a two-run game in the eighth, Leo Nunez blew his first save chance of the year Wednesday against the Mets.

Nunez entered with the Marlins up 6-4, two outs and the bases loaded. He proceeded to walk Fernando Tatis to force in a run and then balk in a second run before getting Alex Cora to ground out to end the inning. He stayed in and pitched a clean ninth, which gave him a win after the Marlins scored in the 10th, so he probably didn't hurt his standing too badly tonight. Still, he's hardly a sure thing to pick up saves all year long. Tim Wood, the last man in Florida's pen, actually got the save tonight by pitching a scoreless 10th.