Blood blister forces Cashner to miss his start.
MIAMI — Blisters are like a thorn in a lion’s paw to pitchers.
Miami Marlins righthander Andrew Cashner was unable to make his scheduled start Sunday due to a blood blister that developed during his most recent outing Tuesday againstKansas City. Justin Nicolino was summoned from the minors for the spot start.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said he expects Cashner to be ready forhis next turn Friday at Cleveland.
“He’s got a little tenderness in there today. But if we expected it to be longer than this we would have [put him on the disabled list],” Mattingly said before Sunday’s game at Marlins Park.
“He had that little blood blister under his nail, and it kind of got into the side of it. With pitchers, they don’t sound very serious but you see those with finger pressure, they end up being a fairly big deal.”
It was a recurring issue with Josh Beckett, who went on the DL six times due to blisters on the middle finger of his pitching handduring his years with theMarlins from2001-05.
Beckett tried numerous remedies including pickle brine, Superglue, antibiotic healing cream and immersing his hand in uncooked white rice.
Regarding Cashner, Mattingly said, “It’s something that’s just got to go away and heal, and that takes a little bit of time.”
Cashner, who has made five starts since being acquired from the Padres, had hismost effective outing for the Marlins in holding the Royals to one run and four hits in six innings.
Dietrich close
Infielder Derek Dietrich, recovering from a bruised knee, began a rehab assignment Saturday with Double-A Jacksonville.
He was hit on the knee by a pitch Aug. 13 and the injury got worse as he attempted to play throughit. He went on the DL on Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 19. Mattingly said he expects Dietrich to return when eligible Saturday.
Help coming
Dietrich will be among a number of reinforcements arriving during the upcoming trip with active rosters expanding Sept. 1.
TheMarlins haven’t announced who will be called up, but Mattingly said pitchers and position players will be added.
“You want to be able to protect yourself in different areas. Obviously you bring up some arms,” he said. Sometimes you’re just wanting guys to get here to get a taste in the big leagues.”
There is still hope Giancarlo Stanton can return from a severe groin strain before theendof the season. Stanton has done some hitting off a tee and light throwing, but Mattingly said the final week of the season remains an optimistic projection.
“That’s not getting pushed up becausewe see him on the field doing some things,” Mattingly said. “There is some activity going on, but I don’t think that’s changed the timetable of when we expect him to have even a chance to do something.”