The Marlins just hope that whenever he does return, he is the same Fernandez who went 16-8 with a 2.25 ERA in 36 big-league starts before getting hurt. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
MIAMI — For the Miami Marlins, the countdown has begun.
This particular countdown isn’t about the end of the 2014 season, which happens Sunday.
It’s about the beginning of hope, which happens three days later, when right-hander Jose Fernandez can begin tossing a baseball.
Initially, Fernandez will be allowed to throw for a few minutes from 30 feet. But the hope is that Fernandez can gradually begin to rebuild the strength of his right arm after Tommy John surgery on May 16, which ended his second season in the majors.
Fernandez, the 2013 National League Rookie of the Year, hopes to return to the majors as soon as possible.
“I feel like I never even had surgery,” Fernandez said recently, soon after his throwing program was announced. “I feel great.”
Fernandez, 22, doesn’t know exactly know when he will return … but he has a pretty good idea of where.
“I’d like it to be in Miami,” Fernandez said.
The Marlins, who would no doubt enjoy the attendance boost they would get for Fernandez’s first game back, are sure to oblige.
Numerous published reports have speculated that Fernandez will return by July, but the Marlins have issued no timetable and don’t want to rush the process.
“It depends on how I feel,” Fernandez said.
The Marlins just hope that whenever he does return, he is the same Fernandez who went 16-8 with a 2.25 ERA in 36 big-league starts before getting hurt.
If so, the Marlins would have the makings of an outstanding rotation with Fernandez, All-Star Henderson Alvarez, 13-game winner Jarred Cosart and nine-game winner Tom Koehler, all with ERAs well under 4.00 this season.
