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Florida Marlins: Dontrelle Willis will be the Florida Marlins' starting pitcher when the team opens the season at Washington on April 2.

It's the second straight Opening Day start for the left-hander, who went 12-12 with a 3.87 ERA last season. Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez told Willis of the decision early Monday.

"He's the guy that's been here the longest," Gonzalez said. "He's the leader of that pitching staff and he's the guy we want there for the matchup."

The Marlins plan to use a four-man rotation in the early going, with Anibal Sanchez, Scott Olsen and Ricky Nolasco expected to follow Willis in some order. The team won't need a fifth starter until at least April 10.

Elsewhere in the Grapefruit League:

Atlanta Braves: Chipper Jones missed his fourth straight game with a sore muscle in his right side and might try to return to the lineup on Wednesday.

"He'll want to play and I don't know if I'll let him," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said Monday after the Braves' 6-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.

Jones didn't play Friday night after feeling soreness during batting practice. The injury caused alarm because he missed 27 games during two trips to the disabled list last year caused by a strained left oblique.

Jones says the injury is "just a tweak" but he hasn't participated in batting or fielding practice since Friday. He has spent his mornings receiving treatment.

Cleveland Indians: The Indians have begun contract talks about a multiyear contract for Jake Westbrook, who is eligible for free agency after the season.

Detroit Tigers: Outfielder Cameron Maybin, the Tigers' top pick in the 2005 draft, was among 10 prospects returned to the Detroit minor league system on Monday.

The 19-year-old slugger, who is expected to begin the season at Class A Lakeland, was batting .429 in 17 Grapefruit League exhibition games and wowed teammates with his combination of power and speed.

"Maybin needs to go down and play," Detroit manager Jim Leyland had said the day before, after Maybin went hitless in one at-bat during the Tigers' 6-0 win over the Atlanta Braves.

The Tigers optioned catcher Mike Rabelo and outfielder Brent Clevlen to Triple A Toledo. Sent to minor league camp, to be assigned later to teams, were right-handed pitchers Craig Dingman and Dennis Tankersley, left-hander Joey Eischen, infielders Brent Dlugach, Mike Hessman and Kevin Hooper and outfielder Brandon Watson.

Houston Astros: Jason Lane is trying hard to reclaim his right-field job with the Astros.

Lane hit two home runs, including a three-run shot off reliever Mike Koplove in the sixth inning that put the Astros ahead to stay in their 4-2 win over the Marlins on Monday.

Lane also hit a solo homer in the second off starter Scott Olsen.

"I've just maintained an approach where I'm going to try to get myself ready to play for Opening Day," Lane said. "I think I can get myself prepared for the season. The results will be there."

New York Yankees: Jeff Karstens has put himself into consideration for Kei Igawa's spot in the Yankees' rotation.

Karstens allowed his first runs of the year, giving up four over 4 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays. He had pitched 10 consecutive scoreless innings before Aaron Hill's two-run double with two outs in the second. Two more runs scored when reliever Chris Britton gave up a two-run single to Lyle Overbay in the fifth.

Karstens' emergence could alter plans for Igawa, who signed a $20 million, five-year contract after the Yankees bid $26 million for his rights.

"We want Igawa to be one of the starters," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "The only way that wouldn't happen is if we think, he could improve here."

Torre didn't rule out the possibility that Igawa could begin the season in the minors. The left-hander, who has struggled with his control, is to pitch Tuesday night against Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Phillies: Adam Eaton finished another outing, answered more questions about moving to the bullpen and went home still in the rotation.

Eaton, who signed a three-year, $24.5 million free-agent deal in the offseason, is asked almost daily whether he would consider becoming a reliever because the Phillies have six starters.

Jon Lieber is considered the odd man out, though manager Charlie Manuel hasn't said which pitcher he would move to the bullpen if general manager Pat Gillick doesn't make a trade before the season opener on April 2.

Eaton allowed three runs and eight hits against the Pirates, raising his ERA to 4.63 this spring.

"They haven't talked to me about being a reliever, so I'm still a starter as far as I know," he said. "I guess it's between Jon and I. Things are still going to shake out. I know Pat says he can't trade anybody, but I don't think a trade has come up that he wants to do. How about that? I'm sure there's a lot of interest in any one of our starters. I can't predict anything."

Phillies make cuts: Justin Germano is heading back to San Diego after the Padres claimed him off waivers on Monday. A week ago, it appeared Germano was in the mix for a spot with the Phillies. He pitched well until a rough outing against Toronto on Thursday night in which he allowed three runs in two innings.

Now, Germano is returning to the team that first gave him a chance to pitch in the majors in 2004.

"I'm pretty shocked," Germano said soon after assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. informed him of the move. "I thought I was right there. I had one bad inning. I knew they didn't expect me to be perfect every time out."

The Phillies were hoping to send Germano to Triple-A Ottawa, but he couldn't get through waivers. Philadelphia also reassigned first baseman Randall Simon and right-handers Ryan Cameron and Kane Davis to minor league camp, and optioned infielder Danny Sandoval and right-hander Brian Sanches.

St. Louis Cardinals: Busch Stadium is going smoke-free starting next month.

Busch Stadium will become the 15th of 30 ballparks in Major League Baseball to go completely smoke-free. Smoking has been prohibited in the stadium's seating areas since 1995.

Smokers will be allowed to exit and re-enter the ballpark at three designated exit and re-entry gates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.