Jarred Cosart happy to get back on mound to cap tumultuous spring
JUPITER, Fla. -- It had been so long since Miami Marlins right-hander Jarred Cosart had pitched in a game his mother sent him a text saying fans were worried about him.
Between a blister on his right middle finger and an ongoing MLB investigation concerning alleged gambling, Cosart last threw 10 days ago against the Minnesota Twins.
In his return to the mound Wednesday afternoon in the Grapefruit League finale, Cosart threw six one-hit innings in an 8-0 win over the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium.
"Five days feels like a long time when we're waiting in between starts," Cosart said. "It felt like an eternity. Went out there, finally had a clear head. Obviously there's been a lot of stuff going on the last two weeks. It was just really good to get back out there in a game situation, be with my team and pitch like I know I'm capable of pitching."
Cosart, who walked three batters and struck out four, needed 78 pitches (49 strikes). He induced six groundouts, including two double plays, during his longest outing of the spring.
Other than a 2-0 count to Jordan Zimmermann in the third and a four-pitch walk to Bryce Harper in the fourth, Cosart was pleased with his performance. He liked the angle of his fastball, which reached 95 mph according to the stadium radar gun, and the spin of his curveball.
"That was great," manager Mike Redmond said. "That was a big lift, but I think for all of us probably a big relief at the same time seeing him back on the mound. His finger felt great, pitched great. That's the Cosart that we know, and we've seen a lot of. It was good to have him back today."
Over 17 2/3 innings, Cosart allowed 11 runs on 19 hits with 11 strikeouts and 11 walks. He posted a 1-2 record and a 5.60 ERA. Cosart got knocked around for four runs in his previous two starts, calling his spring training "a little too inconsistent for my liking."
In order to make up for lost time and get his pitch count to 90, the 24-year-old righty will throw in a simulation game Monday morning in Jupiter before joining the club at Marlins Park for Opening Day. The change in his schedule means Cosart go Saturday as the team's fifth starter when Marlins host the Tampa Bay Rays in the second series of the season.
As for the investigation, he continues to follow MLB protocol. The hope is everything will be done by Monday. Cosart spoke with people from the league's offices last week, and MLB security is investigating his Twitter account.
"Told all these guys, 'never have, never will bet on baseball,' " Cosart said. "That's the only statement I can come out with right now. ... I'm in a good position and I'm confident. Like I said, it's just kind of in the commissioner's hands now. We'll see where he goes with it. That's it. I'm focused now on the 162 we've got ahead. I'll let that care of itself, and hopefully that's soon so we can move on from that."
WORTH NOTING
Left-handed reliever Andrew McKirahan, whom the Marlins picked in the Rule 5 draft from the Chicago Cubs, was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday afternoon.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
