Jose Fernandez Throws to Live Batters
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Denis Poroy/Getty Images(JUPITER, Fla.) — For the first time since having Tommy John surgery, Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez threw to live batters Thursday.
Fernandez, who hasn’t pitched against hitters since May 9, 2014, threw 15 pitches at the Marlins’ spring training complex behind Roger Dean Stadium.
“It was competing and it felt really fantastic,” Fernandez said. “Command of the ball was (good), except for one or two pitches that were up in the zone a little bit. (I) was sticking my fastball really well. Breaking ball was good. Changeup was good. And I was really happy with the way everything came out today.”
The 22-year-old Fernandez was the 2013 National League Rookie of the Year before getting hurt in his sophomore season. He is expected to rejoin the Marlins’ rotation some time in mid July.
In two seasons with the Marlins, Fernandez has started 36 games, pitching 224 1/3 innings while compiling a 16-8 record, 2.25 ERA, 257 strikeouts, and a .97 WHIP.
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