Marlins phenom set for final start today
Jose Fernandez stood in front of the dugout after batting practice Tuesday, looking like a rookie for a change because of eye black smeared on his sweaty forehead.
A teammate had applied the polish to the inside of Fernandez’s cap as a prank.
“Everybody was looking at me and laughing,” he said. “I was like, ‘What’s wrong?’ And then someone told me.”
The Miami Marlins right-hander has been hazed more than once this season, but he hasn’t been fazed. He’s a top candidate for National League Rookie of the Year, and because he’s approaching the 170-inning limit set by the team, he’ll make his final start tonight against Atlanta.
“I’m looking at it like, ‘I’ve got to go home already?’ ” he said. “It flew by.”
Fernandez, 21, will remain with the last-place Marlins but limited to cheerleading duties. Next season he hopes to be pitching in October.
“When we go to the World Series next year, it’s going to be good,” he said. “That’s my goal. That’s what I’m going to work for in the offseason, and I know my teammates are going to do the same thing.”
Fernandez made the team out of spring training, then made the All-Star Game. His 2.23 ERA is second only to the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw among major league pitchers, and he’s 11-6 for a team with the NL’s worst record.
Mets
Pitcher Matt Harvey is optimistic he can avoid Tommy John surgery on his the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. “Everything feels fine; my arm feels great,” he said. “I’m still very optimistic about everything, but I’m not a doctor, so we’ll see what happens.” Harvey will get a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, the orthopedic surgeon, and then could take another week, or longer, to make a decision. Harvey seemed inspired by his recent talk with Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay, who also had a tear in his elbow years ago and decided against surgery. He has had considerable success since.
Elsewhere
Former major leaguer Wladimir Balentien hit his 54th home run of the season to move within one of tying Japanese baseball’s record of 55 set by Sahaharu Oh in 1964 and matched by ex-major leaguers Tuffy Rhodes in 2001 and Alex Cabrera in 2002. Balentien has 22 regular-season games left to reach the mark. … Suspended shortstop Jhonny Peralta will work out with Detroit today and is eligible to return Sept. 27. … Oakland outfielder Josh Reddick was activated from the 15-day disabled list.