" Javier Vazquez's first eight starts of the season haven't gone the way the Marlins envisioned it when they signed him to a one-year, $7 million deal this winter.

So how crucial will his ninth start be Saturday against the Rays? "I think [this start] is very important for Javi, but I think it's more important for us, the Florida Marlins,'' manager Edwin Rodriguez said Friday.

"We need to establish and solidify that rotation. And without him in the rotation, we don't have many options. He's going to have to step up, make adjustments, because that rotation, the one we send out there, that's the one we plan on using. We're going to stay with that rotation and see how far it takes us."

Vazquez is 2-4 and has a 7.55 ERA that ranks 148th out of 150 starting pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched this season. He has been working with pitching coach Randy St. Claire since spring training to use his body more on his delivery. The problem Rodriguez said he sees is Vazquez's mental approach, adding, "He needs to be aggressive with secondary pitches. He's trying to be perfect with those secondary pitches.''

Ultimately, Rodriguez and St. Claire are hoping if Vazquez can get past his first-inning struggles (he has given up at least one run in the first inning of every start and has a 15.25 ERA in the frame), then he might be able to turn things around."