Marlins notes: Jose Fernandez ready to go with one rehab start left
MIAMI -- Barring a setback, Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez will return to the big-league mound when the San Francisco Giants visit South Florida in a week.
Fernandez, who underwent Tommy John surgery on May 16, 2014, said the team, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, physical therapist Ron Yacoub, agent Scott Boras and himself all sat down to discuss when the anticipated date would be.
During the discussion, Dr. ElAttrache, who performed the procedure, recommended July 2. Because he did so, Fernandez went along with the idea since he had followed instructions for 13 months but didn't elaborate on the specifics. As Fernandez put it, "I trusted him to do the surgery on my arm. I don't question anything that he tells me."
"I feel ready, guys, I'm not going to lie," Fernandez said. "I'm ready to go. There's reasons why I have one more start. There's a reason why I'm throwing on the second."
But before Fernandez steps foot inside that circle at Marlins Park, the 22-year-old righty will make his final rehab start for Double-A Jacksonville on Saturday, unfamiliar territory for the 2013 National League Rookie of the Year.
When right-handers Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez landed on the disabled list the weekend before Opening Day, the Marlins promoted Fernandez without any experience pitching above Advanced A ball. A level nearly all top prospects compete in prior to getting the call to the Show didn't happen for Fernandez.
"I'm looking forward to it," Fernandez said. "Baseball's great because it doesn't matter who you're pitching against. There's always a couple of guys that remind you that there's baseball. They've got a bat and they can do damage. That's why this game is fun. It challenges you every day starting from stretching and going out there and pitching to somebody."
STARTERS SHAPING UP
Manager Dan Jennings announced rookie Jose Urena as Sunday's starter against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Though he is 1-3 with a 4.34 ERA over eight games (six starts), Urena has recorded a quality start in five of his last six outings. Opponents have not scored more than three earned runs in each of them.
"He's done a nice job, you know what?" Jennings said. "Competition's a great thing. Until someone knocks him out we feel like it's in the best interest of this team. He's certainly stepped up and taken advantage of the opportunity."
Activated from the DL on Thursday, righty Jarred Cosart will initially be used out of the bullpen. Joining him will be right-hander David Phelps, who had been in the rotation since April 17. He posted a 4-4 record and 3.84 ERA as a starter.
Jennings said whether Cosart goes one or multiple innings depends on the situation. Both he and Phelps are available for the series finale against the Cardinals.
"We'll make a decision and set a rotation," Jennings said. "We're going to walk Cosart -- who's been activated today -- we'll walk him through the bullpen for at least a little bit to get his major-league legs back under him. Got Jose coming what appears like July 2, and so at this point we will be open and be fair about who will get the ball realizing these two guys that are going to come and join the rotation in a permanent way sometime here in the next few games."
To make room for Cosart, Miami designated right-handed reliever Vin Mazzaro for assignment. He went 0-0 with a 3.75 ERA in 10 appearances.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
