Marlins notes: Jarred Cosart returning to rotation Saturday
MIAMI -- Right-hander Jarred Cosart will return to the Miami Marlins rotation Saturday during the series in Chicago against the Cubs.
Cosart, who came off the disabled list Thursday, made his first big-league relief outing a day later. He allowed two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks over four innings. Miami planned on easing him back into the majors after missing a month because of vertigo.
Righty Tom Koehler will open the series Friday, and righty Mat Latos gets the nod Sunday at Wrigley Field. That means rookie Jose Urena will be the odd man out. Righty David Phelps will remain in the bullpen as a multi-inning guy.
"There's some things that could determine Urena if he's here with us in the 'pen or whether he goes back to Triple-A to stay stretched out over the All-Star break," manager Dan Jennings said. "So there's some of the things we're talking through to make sure we want to do right by him and really by any and all starting pitchers to make sure they stay stretched out. That was part of the decision with (Justin) Nicolino. It was easy to put him in the bullpen, but is it truly in their best interest, in our best interests?"
GUESS WHO'S BACK?
Ace Jose Fernandez will make his return to the big-league mound for Thursday's matinee against the San Francisco Giants.
Fernandez, who underwent Tommy John surgery May 16, 2014, last pitched a week earlier in San Diego when he experienced discomfort in his right elbow.
"I wouldn't know how many days there are," Fernandez said of his absence. "I know it's been a little while. Hopefully I can throw the first pitch a strike. That's all I care about. Giving my team a chance to win. Throw and be healthy. That's all I can ask for for tomorrow."
Jennings said Fernandez will be on a "common sense count." Fernandez expects to go 90-95 pitches depending on how the game shapes up. Jeff Mathis, who has caught 16 of Fernandez's starts (most of any catcher), will be behind the dish.
The 22-year-old righty doesn't expect to be able to sleep much Wednesday night leading up to the 12:10 p.m. first pitch. He also doesn't plan on changing his pitching strategy.
"I have all my pitches and I feel comfortable throwing all my pitches, so I think I'm just going to pitch," Fernandez said. "Do whatever comes to my mind. Obviously we got a scouting report and that's what we're going to follow like always, but I'm not planning on throwing under my hand or something."
With Monday off, Fernandez won't make his next appearance until the club returns to Miami on Thursday for a four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds to close out the first half.
"Tomorrow should be a fun day for everybody -- for South Florida, for this organization, for this team, but most importantly for Jose," Jennings said. "He's grinded, he's worked extremely hard to get back to this place and this opportunity. I think it's great for baseball. He's truly one of the faces of the game with his energy. There's a lot of positives to him.
"He brings that (energy) every day. It's hard to have a bad day around Jose because of his passion for the game, his general love of life. He's energetic all the time. He's a big kid that's been blessed to play a game, and he does it the right way. He keeps everyone loose, he's competitive, he's fun. I think that bodes to who he is and how he goes out on that mound and competes."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
