Brad Hand will prepare as a starter during spring training though his role for the season is yet to be determined, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Hand will prepare as a starter during spring training, though his role for the season has yet to be determined, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

Hand split time between the rotation and bullpen last season, registering a 4.38 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 111 innings (16 starts and 16 relief appearances). Henderson Alvarez, Mat Latos, Jarred Cosart, Dan Haren and Tom Koehler project as the Marlins' top five starters, so Hand will compete with David Phelps to claim a role as a swingman. Hand is out of minor league options, potentially giving him an inside track to break camp with the club this season.