Marlins notes: Team expects clarity on Jarred Cosart, Henderson Alvarez returns Saturday
MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins continue to take a wait-and-see approach with the returns of right-handers Henderson Alvarez and Jarred Cosart, but a decision is likely to come Saturday.
Cosart, who left Wednesday's start in Los Angeles in the sixth inning with a tight right hamstring, will throw a bullpen Saturday to see whether he can make his next scheduled outing Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The 24-year-old saw the doctor Friday and awaited test results, though he said he felt both "good" and "normal." Cosart threw off flat ground in left field during batting practice.
"I'm going to have to let it go pretty good," Cosart said of his bullpen Saturday. "I can't be babying it and have something come up second or third inning, especially the situation we're in now with (Alvarez) coming back. We've got a lot of arms. Something's going to happen. Hopefully everything's good, and we can stay on schedule."
Added manager Mike Redmond: "It looks like it was a cramp. We'll know more tomorrow when he gets out and throws a bullpen. But it's looking like he's going to be fine and anticipating being able to make his next start. We'll know tomorrow for sure."
Alvarez, meanwhile, threw six scoreless innings in a rehab start Tuesday for Single-A Jupiter on 76 pitches. Alvarez also tossed 71 pitches in a bullpen Thursday.
The 2014 All-Star has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 13 with right shoulder inflammation. He was 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts before the injury.
"Henderson's the same," Redmond said. "I think we're still waiting on Cosy and what we'll do with him going forward until tomorrow and see how Cosy comes in and moves around. (Alvarez) feels good. Like I said, we'll see going forward what we do with him. I know we talked about him making another start, but we'll know more on that tomorrow."
CLOSER SITUATION
When asked whether Ramos would continue to serve as closer or Miami would work matchups as Steve Cishek bounces back from early-season struggles, Redmond said, "we'll see."
Ramos needed just 11 pitches (seven strikes) to retire the Dodgers in order Wednesday with a pair of strikeouts and a flyout. It marked his first career big-league save.
"I was very happy with the way A.J. pitched," Redmond said. "He's got great stuff, he's got the mindset to finish games, to lock down games. We'll see going forward, but see what situation and where we are in the lineup. I like the way he did. I liked the tempo and throwing strikes. He's got great stuff. It would be nice to get Cishek in there some point in the game."
WORKING BACK
Cishek didn't use Thursday's off day to get away from baseball when the Marlins arrived back in South Florida following a 10-game trip. Rather, he threw a bullpen session to "get a jump start" on mechanics.
Since looking at video, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez, bullpen catcher Reid Cornelius and Cishek have analyzed his arm slot. He has begun the process of correcting it.
"I want to be able to come back quick," said Cishek, who is 1-3 with a 10.32 ERA with four blown saves. "It's going to take a couple of days, but today I felt pretty good and time will tell. Continue putting in the work 'cause at this point, especially if I'm a person that's worried about stats, then I'd be freaking out. But really I couldn't care less. I just want to go out there and help the team win in any capacity."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
