MIAMI -- Mother Nature altered plans for Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez's next step on the road to recovery.
Fernandez, who was going to fly to Round Rock for his third rehab start on Wednesday for Triple-A New Orleans, will travel to Viera, Florida, where Single-A Jupiter visits Brevard County.
Right-hander Jarred Cosart did start Tuesday night's Zephyrs game in Texas. It will be his last outing before rejoining the club from the disabled list with vertigo.
According to manager Dan Jennings, Fernandez could moonlight as a meteorologist since he alerted the Marlins about the inclement weather. He had been checking it on his phone.
"We were able to divert Jose before he left, so he'll pitch tomorrow in Class-A ball, which is a positive," Jennings said. "What we'll have to do is get Jarred out of there and either get him to Double-A and try to make a start there. He will get his work. It's just now trying to get him out before they close down airports."
Fernandez will make his third straight start against Single-A batters rather than the more experienced Triple-A players.
Jennings said it isn't necessary for the difficulty level to increase, rather his pitch count. Fernandez was initially scheduled to start at Brevard County following his outing on Friday in Jupiter, Florida.
"I just want him to get his work in and make sure that he repeats at a certain level pitch-count wise," Jennings said. "The biggest thing is how he feels afterwards...He's gonna have a Double-A start after. He'll get that in his last start. Because of no one playing, he'll be back in A-ball. It's not where it is -- just about getting the quality work."
MORSE UPDATE
First baseman Michael Morse, on the DL retroactive May 24 with a right ring finger sprain, will start rehab games with Double-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.
WORTH NOTING
The Marlins still don't anticipate a DL stint for Martin Prado, who got a platelet-rich plasma injection on Monday for his right shoulder sprain.
"Probably tomorrow we'll have a better feel for exactly where he is and get an idea of time and return," Jennings said. "Once he actually does some movements to test it, you'll have a better feeling of, 'Is it going to be DL time?' or 'Is it going to be a 5-day or whatever-day?'"
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
