Making his first rehab start for Class A Potomac, Marquis allowed three runs and six hits over 3 2/3 innings against Winston-Salem. All three of the runs, though, came during the second inning at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge.On the 15-day disabled list with bone chips in his right elbow, Marquis hadn't pitched since a disastrous outing April 18 in Washington in which he failed to retire any of the seven Brewers batters he faced. His ERA a staggering 20.52, Marquis was shut down after an enhanced MRI revealed the loose bodies in his elbow.
He received a cortisone shot and began playing catch later that week, reporting no problems. Marquis even tried to convince team officials to activate him off the DL Saturday when the Nationals needed a fill-in starter for John Lannan.
The club wanted the veteran right-hander to take things slower and make at least a couple of rehab starts. Before tonight's game at Citi Field, manager Jim Riggleman expressed hope that Marquis could return to the majors after perhaps only one more rehab outing.
He'll need to perform better next time out, though, to earn his way back into the Nationals' rotation. After escaping the first inning unscathed tonight, Marquis allowed two doubles and three singles during the three-run second. He rebounded to retire four the last six batters he faced, though he did walk one Winston-Salem batter and hit another before departing.
9 comments:
Niese done after 4.1...
Put JM on the 60 day DL. Get the bone chips out of which the physicaians flubbed the MRI reading. Get him ready for later this season/ST.
In other news Mike Morse just hit another home run for Syracuse. That makes 2 during his rehab assignment.
Yah, this guy isn't right. Shut him down and clean out the elbow like what they did with Stammen.
I would require Jason to pitch at least TWO quality starts; one at Potomac, and one at either Harrisburg and/or Syracuse before entrusting him with the ball again at the Major League level. I am hopeful, yet doubtful, that he will be useful to the Nats this year.
I'm glad Riggs didn't listen to him. I appreciate competitiveness, but it sounds more like pure ego, perhaps tinged with desperation, given the pitching reinforcements on the horizon.
Except for Brian Lawrence: Worst. Signing. Ever.
Regarding Morse - I still challenge any fan who has actually seen him get a hit, spring or regular season, in a Washington uniform to forward. He's gotta show me something.
So far the Marquis signing is on a par with the two-year deal for da meat hook and also LoDuca's K, total bill for the three of them: $30M.
The other thing we're missing from this start is how his arm feels after the start. Is he in pain? Has the organization commented on what they saw? Truly sad, though. This guy thought he should have started last Saturday and taken Lannan's turn in the rotation. At this point, we are better off using healthy inventory from the minors rather than any pitcher whose health is at all compromised. John Lannan realized that, skipped a turn, and did what's best for his team by giving Matt Chico a shot to help the team. Because Lannan reported the slightest bit of pain, that helped us to win a game and you just love the kid all the more for it.
Marquis needs to make at least two more rehab starts, but would really be best to shut it down. What's the prognosis for Marquis if he gets surgery? Would he be out for the season or would he be available at some point? If our focus is for 2011, Marquis needs to get that surgery.
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