Steckenrider to see Dr. Andrews
Reliever diagnosed with right flexor strain in elbow
MIAMI — If you’re a professional athlete and have to visit Dr. James Andrews, the news usually isn’t good.
Battling elbow inflammation, Drew Steckenrider is hoping to buck that trend. After being placed on the 60-day injured list last week, the Miami Marlins reliever is scheduled to see the renowned orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion.
Steckenrider has been diagnosed with a right flexor strain. The Marlins initially placed the right-hander on the 10-day IL on May 8, only to transfer him to the 60-day injured list three days later. The fear for any pitcher dealing with elbow issues is the potential for Tommy John surgery, which has an estimated recovery time of 12 to 15 months.
“We’re fairly concerned [about his elbow],” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Tuesday. “The fact he’s getting a second opinion tells you the first opinion wasn’t very good. We’ll wait and see, but I’d say [we’re] concerned.”
The 28-year-old has struggled to start the season, posting a 6.28 ERA in 14 1⁄3 innings. While Steckenrider’s hit total has been relatively low, he’s been dinged by the long ball. Of the nine hits he has allowed this season, six have been home runs. Among National League relievers with a minimum of 10 innings, Steckenrider has the highest HR/9 total at 3.77. His opposing batting average (.173) is 21st-best of the 109 eligible relievers.
Steckenrider’s last appearance came May 6 in Chicago, where he tossed one scoreless inning versus the Cubs.
Selected by Miami in the eighth round of the 2012 major-league draft, Steckenrider has spent his entire career in the Marlins organization. In 123 appearances over three seasons, the 6-foot-5 pitcher has accumulated a lifetime 3.72 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and .220 opposing batting average. During that span, he’s 6-for-11 in save opportunities.
Steckenrider entered spring training as one of the closer candidates but has served in a middle reliever role this season. He is arbitration-eligible in 2021, meaning he’ll still earn the league-minimum salary until then.
Injury notes: Miami reliever Julian Fernandez, who’s been on the injured list since February, is continuing his throwing program in extended spring training. Claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants, the right-hander is in the tail end of his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
The 23-year-old last pitched in High A for the Colorado Rockies. According to Baseball America’s scouting report, the hard-throwing reliever’s fastball averages 98 to 100 mph and has touched 103.
Right-hander Riley Ferrell, who’s dealing with biceps tendinitis, threw 1 2⁄3 in extended spring training Monday. The Marlins are looking for the reliever to start a rehab assignment this week.
Ferrell was acquired this offseason from the Houston Astros in the Rule 5 draft but has yet to pitch. The 25-year-old was slated to begin the season in the Marlins bullpen but suffered tendinitis in the final week of spring training.