Ellington could win a spot as a long reliever to begin the season if Jeff Locke (biceps) winds up on the DL, The Miami Herald reports.
The Marlins plan to carry an extra bullpen arm this season, but even so Ellington seemed ticketed for Triple-A New Orleans until Locke's arm became an issue. Ellington is likely battling Nick Wittgren for the open spot, as both have experience in a variety of bullpen roles, but neither has pulled away from the other so far this spring.