Marlins notes: Cosart set to pitch out of bullpen in Cardinals finale
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins right-hander Jarred Cosart will pitch out of the bullpen when he gets reinstated from the disabled list prior to Thursday's finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cosart, who has started all 47 of his major-league outings since 2013, has been sidelined since May 14 with vertigo. He has a 15-15 career record and 3.38 ERA.
"He'll be active tomorrow, be ready to go, ready to pitch," manager Dan Jennings said. "Glad that he's back up here. We're talking about right now with him either in the rotation or bullpen, and that'll be determined. Right now it looks like he'll start out in the bullpen and gradually ease back into it.
"Kind of ease him back in rhythm wise. Some of the young pitchers have stepped up, certainly have earned the right to go back out. We'll get him acclimated back at the major-league level and then assess and go from there."
Prior to landing on the DL for the first time in his career, Cosart went 1-3 with a 4.08 ERA in seven starts. Over 39 2/3 innings, he allowed 18 runs on 32 hits with 24 strikeouts and 14 walks. His last appearance came on May 13 in Los Angeles. On the six-hour flight back to South Florida, an ear infection developed into vertigo symptoms that required medication and rest.
Acquired from the Houston Astros at last year's trade deadline, he posted a 4-4 record and 2.39 ERA in 10 starts once joining the Marlins rotation.
"I assume I'm a starter," Cosart said before Jennings made the announcement. "I have two years' track record. Obviously what I did second half here last year. Obviously started off a little slow, but then I got something I couldn't control with the vertigo. I got it cleared up. I feel great. I feel ready to go. Like I said, I feel like I'm a starting pitcher. I guess we'll just see what happens. I know there's a business side of it, have to be moves made. People are going to be unhappy and all that stuff. I'm happy to be back in the big leagues and hopefully help us win games and get on the playoff push we went on last year when I got here.
"It's tough. no matter how you draw it up. When you have eight guys who can start there's going to be odd men out regardless. I guess find out who. I feel like I have earned my spot as a starter. Obviously I couldn't control a couple weeks that I did, but I'm back ready to go now."
Over three rehab starts between Triple-A New Orleans (twice) and Double-A Jacksonville (once), Cosart compiled a 3.94 ERA. On Sunday for the Suns, he permitted one run on three hits over five frames. He struck out six batters and walked another six.
The 25-year-old righty threw in a monsoon in Round Rock, Texas, rain in New Orleans and 107-degree heat in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
"From my understanding my rehab starts were to get my offspeed and everything back," Cosart said. "If you look at any major-league rehab starts, most of them aren't going to go perfect. I was working on a lot of things. Threw 40 offspeed pitches last game. Not something I'm going to do here. I feel really crisp. I threw a light bullpen yesterday that felt good. Stuff's ready to go, I'm ready to go mentally and physically. Now it's about helping us win."
With this news, the rotation is as follows: veteran Dan Haren on Thursday, rookie Justin Nicolino on Friday and righty Tom Koehler on Saturday. Sunday's starter is to be announced.
Miami will not go with a six-man rotation.
"It'll be the five and then if we need to adjust we'll do that," Jennings said. "But right now that's the plan going into this weekend."
INJURY UPDATES
-- All-Star right-hander Henderson Alvarez (right shoulder inflammation) has been throwing 120 feet on flat ground. He is scheduled to pitch off the mound this Saturday.
-- Ace Jose Fernandez (Tommy John surgery) will make his final rehab start on Saturday for Double-A Jacksonville.
-- Utility player Don Kelly (right fourth finger fracture) will start at second and play between 5-7 innings for Single-A Jupiter on Wednesday.
-- Michael Morse (right ring finger sprain) went 1 for 4 in his first rehab game for the Zephyrs as the first baseman. He will be the designated hitter on Wednesday.
-- Right-handed reliever Bryan Morris (lower back strain), who tossed a scoreless frame on Monday for the Hammerheads, will pitch another inning there on Wednesday.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
