With his first start out of the way, Jose Fernandez already can’t wait for his next one.
Fernandez struck out eight batters in five innings Sunday, setting a Marlins club record for a pitcher making his major league debut. He allowed a run on three hits and left the game with a 3-1 lead. The Marlins lost 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth.
“Fernandez pitched great and deserved to win that game. That one hurt,” manager Mike Redmond said.
Fernandez threw 80 pitches, 53 for strikes.
“I really thought it was going to be a lot bigger,” he said. “I felt like I was pitching in a spring training game. But I enjoyed it.”
The Marlins are being careful with Fernandez and plan to limit his innings this year to 150-170. In spring training, the most he threw was 66 pitches in five innings.
He is in line to make his next start Saturday at Marlins Park against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Fantasy Update: Fernandez is only 20-years-old and is one of the top prospects in the Marlins orginization, but it’s doubtful he’ll have a ton of wins due to the team he is playing on. On the other hand, he could be a very useful fantasy source due to his ability to dominate a game. Keep an eye on this future star and use him if he has a favorable matchup.