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Marlins' Jose Fernandez heads to DL

 
Jose Fernandez has no structural damage.
Jose Fernandez has no structural damage.
Published Aug. 10, 2015

ATLANTA — It is impossible to view your best pitcher being sidelined by injury as good news.

The situation with RHP Jose Fernandez falls into the category of could have been worse. Much worse.

The Marlins were relieved to learn that an MRI exam showed no structural damage to Fernandez's valuable right (pitching) arm or shoulder. The former Alonso High standout is headed for the disabled list with a biceps strain, manager Dan Jennings said Sunday.

Fernandez, 23, flew back to Miami for an examination Saturday after complaining of stiffness in his shoulder the day after throwing 76 pitches against the Braves at Turner Field. That sparked concern about a problem with his rotator cuff or labrum, which would have been more severe and could have required surgery.

The exam by team physician Lee Kaplan showed his shoulder is healthy.

"I spoke to Jose (Sunday) morning. I think he definitely has peace of mind as to what now. Hopefully the inflammation will go out of there and we can get him healthy, get him back," Jennings said before Sunday's game.

There was no estimate on how long Fernandez might be out. The inflammation must subside before he can begin working toward a return to the mound.

"I think it can vary. It will just be when that calms down," Jennings said. "Now that we know and have it identified, I think we'll have a better understanding of exactly how aggressive to treat it."

Jennings said LHP Justin Nicolino will be called up from Triple A to start Tuesday against the Red Sox, with LHP Adam Conley following on Wednesday. Conley was already tabbed to take that spot from RHP Jose Urena, who went on the disabled list with a bruised knee.

WRIGHT TO REHAB: Mets 3B David Wright is ready to start a rehab assignment as he works to come back from spinal stenosis. Wright is set to be the DH tonight for Class A St. Lucie. He is scheduled to play in the field Tuesday. There is no timetable for his return to the majors.

SPAN SETBACK: Injured Nationals CF Denard Span won't accompany the team on its upcoming 10-day road trip and there's no timetable for his return. The former Tampa Catholic High standout has been on the disabled list since July 10 with tightness in his back.

BOMB SCARE: Wrigley Field was evacuated for about an hour because of a telephone threat. Chicago Police spokesman Thomas Sweeney confirmed the threat but declined to provide further details. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that a bomb threat was called in, and bomb-sniffing dogs were scene at the ballpark.

BLUE JAYS: 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion sat out because of a tender left middle finger.

GIANTS: LF Nori Aoki left the game against the Cubs after RHP Jake Arrieta beaned him with a 92 mph fastball in the third inning. Aoki was able to walk off the field under his own power.

RED SOX: LF Hanley Ramirez sat out a second straight game with a bruised left foot, injured by a foul ball during Friday's game. X-rays on the foot were negative. … RHP Justin Masterson, who had a 5.61 ERA in 591/3 innings after signing a one-year, $9.5 million deal in December, was designated for assignment.

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ROYALS: LF Alex Gordon, on the disabled list since July 8 with a Grade 2 left groin strain, felt good after taking his first live batting practice session. There's no timetable for his return.