Marlins notes: Carter Capps headed in 'right direction'
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins right-hander Carter Capps will throw a bullpen Sunday and travel with the team on its upcoming trip.
Capps, who went on the disabled list Aug. 3 with a right elbow strain, was the setup man before the injury. He posted a 1.16 ERA in 30 outings, striking out 58 in 31 innings.
"We're moving in the right direction," manager Dan Jennings said. "He should be with us on the road. We'll make a determination at that time when he should be ready to go out and pitch in games."
In an update earlier in the homestand, Jennings mentioned how Capps felt discomfort throwing off a mound but not coming off flat ground.
Should everything go well on Sunday, it could be Capps' final bullpen before being reinstated.
"Again -- as we've said -- every one of these is a test," Jennings said. "If they pass the test, then they're ready for the next step."
In his absence, the Marlins have used various relievers in the eighth inning, usually mixing and matching with veterans Bryan Morris and Mike Dunn. Rookie Brian Ellington threw a scoreless eighth Friday.
HECHAVARRIA NOT AT FULL SPEED
Adeiny Hechavarria will also travel with the club on the road, but he still has progress to make in a recovery from a strained left hamstring.
Hechavarria pulled it running out a bunt single in the second inning Sept. 2 in Atlanta. The 26-year-old shortstop is batting .281 with 17 doubles, six triples, five homers and 48 RBI in 130 games this season. He has missed seven games entering Saturday.
"Better, but not quite to that full speed yet," Jennings said. "He's able to do some things if we needed him to, but the running full speed's not quite there."
Miguel Rojas has seen nearly all of the action at short in his absence.
TO END THE YEAR
With ace Jose Fernandez back, the Marlins have three members of the rotation they envisioned would close out the season. Righties Jarred Cosart and Tom Koehler are the other two.
Lefty Brad Hand will remain a starter, while rookie left-hander Justin Nicolino will likely be the fifth option. The others -- rookies Adam Conley and Jose Urena -- will probably pitch out of the bullpen.
Miami will not go with a six-man rotation.
"Moreso the piggyback I think versus the six," Jennings said. "I think you'll see some of the guys get piggybacked a little bit now, and that's not a bad thing. What we want to do, too, is make sure some of those guys that aren't starting that could start are getting the work and getting that opportunity to showcase and they pitch well, so they've earned that opportunity."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
