The Miami Marlins are expecting Jose Fernandez back this season after his recovery from Tommy John surgery last year and the pitcher is continuing to make progress, as he has been cleared for a rehab assignment in the minor leagues and any fantasy baseball owners with an eye on Fernandez should go after him as soon as possible.
Fernandez was establishing himself as one of the top young pitchers in baseball when he went down with Tommy John surgery and he could be back in action by mid-season. According to Hardball Talk, Fernandez has been cleared to pitch in the minor leagues and he will have an assignment in Single-A. Fernandez previously was recovering in extended spring training and he has not had any major setbacks in his Tommy John surgery comeback.
Hardball Talk reports that July 1 could mark Fernandez's return to the Marlins and that would be just over a year since he had his surgery. Fernandez previously had a 2.25 ERA in 36 starts over two seasons and he is hoping to have a smooth return with no further injuries to the elbow. Fernandez put up 257 strikeouts in 224 innings in his career and last season he was 8-8 after going 12-6 in the 2013 season as a rookie, posting a 2.19 ERA.
The Marlins are already nine games back in the NL East division and they are 20-32 on the year after showing signs of progress last season. Giancarlo Stanton is having another strong year and getting Fernandez back will only make the Marlins better.