Cooper progressing in rehab
MIAMI Garrett Cooper is continuing to progress from a calf strain that’s sidelined the Marlins’ Opening Day right fielder for three weeks.
The 28-year-old is scheduled to head to Jupiter after Miami wraps up its homestand versus the Nationals on Sunday.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Cooper was participating in outfield drills Thursday and has been taking ground balls and batting practice. The outfielder initiated his running progression earlier this week. No timetable has been set for when he’ll make his first rehab start.
Cooper played in just three games this season before heading to the injured list March 31 with a left calf strain. The outfielder initially suffered the injury in the second game of the season versus the Colorado Rockies. Miami kept him out of the starting lineup the ensuing day, but brought him into pinch hit in the sixth inning. He popped out, but ended up aggravating the injury during his plate appearance.
The Marlins’ Opening Day right fielder in 2018 as well, Cooper played just 14 games last season after dealing with a nagging wrist injury he sustained in the second game of the season.
In spring training, the outfielder was on the bubble for making the Opening Day roster, but put together a strong camp, hitting .395/.438/.488 in 48 plate appearances. Cooper is 0 for 7 to start the major league season.
In his absence, the Marlins have featured a revolving door in right field, with Peter O’Brien, Austin Dean, Isaac Galloway and Rosell Herrera all getting starts.
Ferrell working his way back: Marlins reliever Riley Ferrell, who’s dealing with right biceps tendinitis, is still a “long way away,” per Mattingly.
A Rule 5 Draft selection from the Houston Astros, Ferrell was on pace to crack Miami’s bullpen, but suffered the injury late in spring training. The righthander was placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to March 25.
Ferrell recently began his throwing progression in Jupiter.
As a Rule 5 pick, the 25-year-old must spend 90 days on the Marlins active roster or he’ll be returned to the Astros.
Miami has a second Rule 5 commitment in Julian Fernandez, who began the season on the 60-day IL. Acquired off waivers from the San Francisco Giants, the reliever is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Mets: Ace Jacob deGrom is returning to New York for an MRI on his right elbow after shaky outings in his last two starts. Manager Mickey Callaway said the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner has been scratched from his start Saturday at St. Louis. Callaway said deGrom’s elbow was “barking” on Friday. DeGrom is 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA in four starts this season. He dominated with 13 scoreless innings in his first two outings but lost his last two starts while allowing a total of nine runs on 13 hits and five walks in nine innings.
White Sox: SS Tim Anderson didn’t go into detail about what he said during a bench-clearing fracas with the Royals after a report that he directed a racial slur at Royals pitcher Brad Keller. Anderson was suspended one game for his actions Wednesday. Tempers flared after Keller hit Anderson, who had celebrated an earlier home run, with a fastball. Keller was suspended five games by Major League Baseball and is appealing. Anderson declined to discuss what was said on the field. He sat out Friday night’s game at Detroit.
Angels: Shohei Ohtani’s drives into the seats at Angel Stadium came with an audience as the two-way standout took another step toward his return from Tommy John surgery. Ohtani took batting practice with teammates for the first time since the operation, preparing to return this season solely as a designated hitter. The Angels have said Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup in May, although a date hasn’t been announced. Ohtani said his teammates weren’t the only onlookers he was hoping to impress. “It was more about showing the front office and the medical staff that I am healthy and feeling strong and maybe (I can) make my return early,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks struck out a season-high 11 over seven scoreless innings in his first win, a 5-1 decision against the Diamondbacks. Hendricks (1-3) became the third consecutive Cubs starter to go seven innings without allowing a run after Jose Quintana and Cole Hamels did it in back-to-back shutouts against the Marlins. The right-hander gave up three hits and two walks after losing his first three starts. The Cubs went 31 innings without allowing a run, matching their longest streak since July 1976, before Brad Brach gave up an RBI double to Ketel Marte with one out in the ninth. Javier Baez cooled off after four straight multihit games, going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts.
Extra innings: Logan Morrison agreed to a minor-league contract with the Yankees, who sought another first base option with Greg Bird again on the injured list. If added to the 40-man roster, Morrison would get a one-year contract with a $1 million salary while in the major leagues . ... The Red Sox traded C Blake Swihart to the Diamondbacks along with international bonus pool space for minorleague OF Marcus Wilson. Swihart had been designated for assignment Tuesday.