Rookie hits pitch limit
Jose Fernandez stood in front of the dugout after batting practice Tuesday, looking like a rookie for a change because of eye black smeared on his sweaty forehead.
A teammate had applied the polish to the inside of Fernandez’s cap as a prank.
“Everybody was looking at me and laughing,” he said. “I was like, ‘What’s wrong?’ And then someone told me.”
The Miami Marlins right-hander has been hazed more than once this season, but he hasn’t been fazed. He’s a top candidate for N.L. Rookie of the Year, and because he’s approaching the 170-inning limit set by the team, he’ll make his final start today against Atlanta.
Fernandez, 21, will remain with the last-place Marlins until the end of the season, even though he’ll be limited to cheerleading duties. Next season he hopes to be pitching in October.
“When we go to the World Series next year, it’s going to be good,” he said. “That’s my goal. That’s what I’m going to work for in the offseason, and I know my teammates are going to do the same thing.”
Fernandez made the team out of spring training, then made the All-Star game. His 2.23 ERA is second only to the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw among major league pitchers, and he’s 11-6 for a team with the N.L.’s worst record.
What were his expectations going into the season?
“To start in Double-A, play half the year there and then get to the big leagues after the All-Star game,” he said. “It came out a little better than that.”
Clearing the bases
The Athletics have activated outfielder Josh Reddick from the 15-day disabled list. Reddick was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 26 with a sprained right wrist. Reddick is hitting .213 with 10 homers and 46 RBIs in 97 games. … The Angels activated infielder Howie Kendrick off the 15-day disabled list. … Mets ace Matt Harvey plans to visit Dr. James Andrews before deciding whether he will have reconstructive surgery on his ailing right elbow. … Former Mariner Wladimir Balentien has hit his 54th home run of the season to move within one of tying Japanese baseball’s record. Balentien has 22 regular-season games left to reach the mark of 55 set by Sadaharu Oh in 1964 and matched by ex-major leaguers Tuffy Rhodes in 2001 and Alex Cabrera in 2002.