Jose Fernandez eager to return to Marlins after 'lonely' recovery from injury
Miami Marlins right-handed Jose Fernandez is inching closer towards returning to the hill after over a year of rehab stemming from Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow, a period of his life he admits was tough to deal with at times.
Joining MLB Network's "MLB Tonight" before the Marlins' game on Tuesday, Fernandez discussed his rehab, which has been progressing in the past few months.
The 2013 NL Rookie of the year, who has looked good in his recent rehab starts, acknowledges that it was tough for him to make his first throw after undergoing surgery and having limited mobility in his arm.
"It was actually really scary. Not fun," Fernandez said of his first throw after Tommy John surgery. "The first time that I got to throw, I made a good throw, thank God, but I was really nervous. A lot of memories came back from when I got hurt and after the surgery and all that pain and all that stuff."
While he's managed to regain his strength in his arm, recently touching 97 mph in a rehab start, the 22-year-old Cuban righty admits the process has been challenging for him.
"It's been tough. … It's pretty lonely," he said. "… Now I'm getting … closer to game time and stuff, so it's getting a lot better, but it was really lonely."
Although it's been a rough journey for him at times, Fernandez's rehab has tested his perseverance, and has aided his maturation, his teammates attest.
"I have grown up a lot, that's for sure," he said. "A couple of my teammates told me, 'Hey man, you growin' up!'"
Fernandez is expected to return to the mound for the Marlins prior to the All-Star break.
(h/t MLB.com)
