Matt Dominguez (flu) is back in the starting lineup Wednesday.

Dominguez was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to flu-like symptoms. The 21-year-old is in a 1-for-23 slump at the plate which has seen his batting average dip to .175 for the spring. His spot on the team isn't a lock by any means.

Matt Dominguez was scratched from Tuesday's spring lineup due to flu-like symptoms.

Dominguez is aiming to return on Wednesday. He is in the middle of a spring-long slump, but the Marlins feel that the 21-year-old is their best option at the hot corner and are expected to start him at third on Opening Day.

Matt Dominguez went 0-for-4 and committed his second error Saturday against the Cardinals.

Dominguez is in a 1-for-21 slump, dropping his average to .194. The Marlins should figure he's going to be one of the game's worst regulars from an offensive standpoint. They could probably do better at third base by acquiring a stopgap.

According to MLB.com, Matt Dominguez has basically locked up the Marlins' starting third base gig.

Dominguez hasn't registered a plate appearance above the Double-A level, but all signs point to the 21-year-old manning the hot corner for the Marlins on Opening Day. Known more for his defensive capabilities, Dominguez has hit a respectable .269 with two home runs and 10 RBI over his first 11 Grapefruit League games. Now all he needs is a strong finish.

Matt Dominguez homered off the Cardinals' Raul Valdes as the Marlins' No. 9 hitter on Monday.

Dominguez isn't ready for the majors offensively, but the Marlins think his glove is strong enough at third base to make up for it. With even a decent spring, he'll open the season hitting eighth for the club.

Marlins MLB.com beat writer Joe Frisaro thinks the team would use a variety of options at third base if Matt Dominguez proves to not be ready for the job.

Frisaro says the Fish could move Omar Infante to the hot corner, with Emilio Bonifacio taking over at second base. Another option would be to platoon veterans Wes Helms and Greg Dobbs at the position. The Marlins aren't counting on Dominguez, who hasn't had an at-bat above Double-A, to provide much offense, so as long as he shows off his much-hyped defense in spring training, the odds are good that he'll be the Opening Day third baseman.

Matt Dominguez arrived at Marlins camp Monday.

The 21-year-old has been tabbed as the Marlins' starter at third base, and he showed up to camp early to soak up all the knowledge he possibly can. Dominguez is going to need all the help he can get, too. The kid has spent almost no time above the Double-A level and he batted just .252/.333/.411 there last season. This feels like an experiment that might not work.

MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that the Marlins' everyday lineup is set, which means prospect Matt Dominguez is slotted in at third base.

Dominguez hasn't had an at-bat above Double-A and hit only .252 there this past season. However, he is a potential Gold Glove caliber third baseman, so the Marlins are evidently willing to deal with his growing pains on offense as long as he picks it at the hot corner. If Dominguez totally flops, Florida would have veteran Wes Helms around as a fallback option.

If the Marlins end up trading Dan Uggla, Chris Coghlan would move to second base and not third, opening up a spot for prospect Matt Dominguez at the hot corner.

Dominguez has some work to do with the bat, as he hit just .252/.333/.411 with 14 homers in 504 at-bats at Double-A this past season, but he is fantastic with the glove. Ideally, the 21-year-old would get a full season at Triple-A before making the jump to the big leagues, but the Marlins have never been shy about rushing their prospects.

Matt Dominguez may be considered for a spot on the 2011 Marlins' major league roster, reports Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post.

Dominguez didn't have the greatest year (.252/.333/.411 in Double-A), but his defense is already major-league ready according to president Larry Beinfest. The team would like to install former infielder and ROY Chris Coghlan at third after his meniscus surgery, but they'd also like to improve their team defense and Coghlan's work there remains to be seen. Dominguez is an interesting name for deep keeper leagues at least.

Matt Dominguez went 0-for-4 on Wednesday and is batting .171 in 11 games for Double-A Jacksonville.

Dating back to his promotion last year, Dominguez is batting 181 with two homers and 14 RBI in 138 at-bats for Jacksonville. He's just 20 and his glove will almost certainly make him a regular third baseman in the majors, but it remains to be seen what kind of hitting the 2007 first-round pick will become. He'll probably disappoint those expecting him to establish himself as an All-Star.