Marlins reliever Brad Hand pitched well out of the bullpen in his second appearance of the season Friday, as he earned a three-inning save in an 8-2 win over the Padres.
Hand entered the game in relief of starter Tom Koehler, who beat him out for the final rotation spot in the spring. Hand pitched three hitless innings, walking three batters and striking out two while throwing 20 of 39 pitches for strikes.
Hand is probably next in line for a starting opportunity if the need arises for the Marlins. For now, he will continue pitching out of the bullpen, where he has tossed five scoreless innings to open the season.