Conley won’t rush his return from tendinitis injury

MIAMI — Marlins lefthander Adam Conley has no plans of making the same mistake as the last time he was on the disabled list.

In 2014, Conley returned too early from an injury while playing in Triple-A. After making five starts, it led to another injury and caused him to miss more time.

So the approach is different in his second stint coming back from injury. Conley said he will take it slow even with the Marlins still fighting for a postseason berth.

“You want to be healthy,” Conley said. “Of course, I want to help this team win. If I’m on the DL, I can’t do that.”

Conley threw a simulated game Wednesday as he continues to recover from left hand tendinitis that sidelined him in mid-August. He completed three innings, totaling 36 pitches. Regaining full strength is the bigger concern than returning this season.

“Just not being very responsible,” Conley said of his last appearance on the disabled list. “I was ignorant. I had never been on the DL before. I tried rushing it and I ended up getting something else [a bone bruise] to put me back on it.”

Marlins manager Don Mattingly said trainers will evaluate Conley today to determine if there is a chance he pitches again this season. He would likely return as a bullpen option.

“I think the biggest thing you’re looking for is no pain and see how he comes out of it [today],” Mattingly said. “Then we just make a decision ... If everything goes good, we definitely want him back at some point.”

Added Conley, “It’s certainly not going to be full bore, a regular start for me. I don’t have much say in that but we’ve talked about that before.”

Conley — who is 8-6 with 3.94 ERA in 24 starts this season — said he felt good during the Wednesday’s workout, except for a few issues with his breaking ball.

“Other than that, I’m really pleased with myself and my command overall,” Conley said. “Obviously, the biggest question is how the hand is doing? Everything is perfect, so I don’t have any problems with that.” Last start for Jose?

Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves lines up to be the final start of the season for ace Jose Fernandez.

But Mattingly said, with the Marlins already trying to limit Fernandez’s innings this season, itwould be too risky to use him in a meaningless game.

“I can tell you right now: If we’re eliminated, by the time that one would come up, he would not pitch that one,” Mattingly said. “He may want to pitch but hew on’t pitch.”