Nicolino came on in relief during Monday's 11-2 loss to the Nationals, tossing 2.1 innings and giving up three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter.
The Marlins haven't officially named their starters for all seven of their games this week, but the fact that Nicolino was used out of the bullpen Monday suggests he won't be in line to make what would have been his next turn in the rotation Thursday against the Phillies. Entering play Monday, Nicolino had carried a middling 5.45 ERA and 5.2 K/9 rate over 33 innings on the season, and he did little in long relief in the series opener with Washington to justify another look in a starting role later in the week. Instead, it appears that Odrisamer Despagine, who tossed six innings of one-run ball when a spot starter was needed last Saturday against the Padres, is now the leading candidate to fill the opening in the rotation for Thursday.