Placido Polanco was scratched from Monday's lineup due to illness. He's expected to return Tuesday. Ed Lucas is filling in at third base.

Placido Polanco went 0-for-4 as the Marlins' No. 3 hitter in Wednesday's loss. Polanco has appeared in 13 games as a No. 3 hitter this season and has one extra-base hit and one RBI in 46 at-bats. Overall, he's batting .248/.311/.281 with eight runs scored and six RBI in 121 at-bats. The Marlins may not have much choice to stick with him for now, but hopefully they'll come up with a better third base option in time.

Placido Polanco had an RBI double in Saturday's extra-inning loss to the Reds. Polanco has hit third and fourth for the Marlins this season, but he was back in the No. 2 spot on Saturday. That's where he belongs. The 37-year-old is hitting .292 (19-for-65) with four doubles and six RBI through 17 games this season. He's unlikely to hold up over the long-term and doesn't provide much pop from third base, but he's relevant in NL-only and deeper mixed fantasy leagues for now.

Placido Polanco went 2-for-4 and plated the Marlins' lone run in Friday night's loss to the Phillies. While it's nearly indefensible that Polanco is serving as the cleanup hitter on a Major League team, he's actually been one of the Marlins' best hitters to this point, hitting .351/.351/.406. He won't contribute much in terms of power or speed, but as long as he's hitting in the middle of the lineup, he certainly has use in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues.

Placido Polanco will bat cleanup for the Marlins on Opening Day. It's pretty laughable, but, sadly, they don't really have any better options. In 1,606 career starts, Polanco has never before hit cleanup. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2013 Miami Marlins!

Placido Polanco homered twice and drove in five runs as the Marlins beat their Triple-A New Orleans affiliate 7-0 on Saturday. Polanco hasn't homered twice in a major league game since 2008. We'd be surprised if it happens again this year. Not counting today's exhibition, Polanco hit .300/.317/.375 for the spring. He could alternate between hitting second and fourth in the early going. He was in the two hole today.

Batting cleanup for the Marlins, Placido Polanco had a double in three at-bats Monday against the Tigers. Marlins manager Mike Redmond is thinking about using Polanco behind Giancarlo Stanton in the order, figuring that he'd at least make some contact following those occasions on which Stanton gets pitched around. Ideally, Logan Morrison would settle into the spot once he returns from knee surgery.

Placido Polanco (oblique) returned to the Marlins' lineup Saturday. Polanco has been dealing with an oblique strain for most of spring training, but the injury appears to be behind him at this point. He shouldn't have any trouble getting ready in time for Opening Day.

Placido Polanco (oblique) will return to the lineup Saturday. Polanco has been nursing an oblique ailment for most of spring camp but is feeling much better. He'll be able to get in enough at-bats to prep for Opening Day but remains a poor bet to stay healthy this season.

Placido Polanco (oblique) says he's "close" to returning. Polanco is dealing with an oblique injury, not a back ailment as originally reported. "It's the type of thing that if you aggravate it, it can take a long time to heal. So we're playing it safe. But I'm close," Polanco said. The veteran infielder did some hitting Sunday and planned to do more Monday.