The matchup between the San Francisco Giants and Miami Marlins will feature two pitchers that have been out of the game for a little bit. Both Jose Fernandez and Matt Cain return to the mound after long layoffs following injuries to their throwing arms. Both pitchers admit to some rust and jitters before heading back onto the field as this Thursday afternoon matchup will be a test to see who's recovery went the best.
Fernandez is returning following a long recovery from Tommy John surgery. It has been 13 months since he last pitched in a game which was on May 9, 2014. After pitching just 27 games in the minors, Fernandez was called up at the rip age of 20 and immediately shot to stardom, getting named NL Rookie of the Year in 2013. However, his followup campaign did not go as planned having to undergo the ligament reconstructive surgery. After much patience he returns to the mound hoping to turn Miami around.
The Marlins have been struggling heavily thanks to a wave of injuries. Fernandez's return comes on the heels of the loss of Giancarlo Stanton who will miss four to six weeks as the Marlins sit a deep hole in their division. In 36 career starts, Fernandez went 16-8 with a 2.25 ERA and now he is tasked with coming back to being that same pitcher. According to ESPn.com, he will be placed on a pitch count while receiving extended rest in between starts.
The Giants are happy to have Cain back on the mound as well while his layoff was almost as long as Fernandez's Cain has not pitched for almost a full year after undergoing elbow surgery to remove bone chips while also being out with a flexor tendon strain. Cain admits the road to recovery has been incredibly long and he is thankful to be back pitching. He is 6-4 with a 3.20 ERA in 14 starts against the Marlins. Cain takes the spot of the injured Jake Peavy. His appearance back with the team could help push the Giants into the lead in the NL West as they sit in 2nd place right now.
