Miami Marlins’ Jeff Locke to Miss First Month of Season
By Nick Fustor
Miami Marlins starter Jeff Locke will reportedly miss the first month of the season as he deals with biceps tendinitis, per the Sun Sentinel.
The Miami Marlins‘ rotation depth will be tested, for at least the first month of the season, as left-hander Jeff Locke will miss time as he recovers from biceps tendinitis.
Locke threw a session on the mound on Saturday, but a return to in-game competition won’t be realistic for the next few weeks, according to the Sentinel. Locke hadn’t thrown in a month, and has been sidelined for all of spring training.
"“I don’t know what we’ll do next, but for today [Saturday] it was good,” Locke said via the Sentinel. “I feel a lot better than I was feeling before, that’s for sure.”"
The 29-year-old is coming off his worst season in the majors, as he posted a 5.41 ERA with 5.16 K/9 and 1.20 HR/9 in 30 appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Locke had an up-and-down 2015 season, as well. However, he was an All-Star in 2013 and was one of Pittsburgh’s more reliable starters in 2013 and 2014.
At the time, Locke had a solid ability to keep balls on the ground and limit home runs. In 2013, he allowed just 0.60 HR/9. While Locke doesn’t walk as many batters as he used to, his strikeout rate dipped tremendously last season, whereas before it was a respectable 6.90 K/9 in 2015.
Manager Don Mattingly said there is no timetable for Locke’s return to the team.
"“Just going through it in the past, it’ll be a little while,” Mattingly said via the Sentinel. “Probably all the way through April, late April, May, middle of May. Something like that.”"
Locke will essentially begin his own spring training once he’s healthy, which means he’ll have to complete several bullpen sessions and a rehab assignment.
"“I’ve never had any injuries before, any setbacks, so I don’t know how I’m supposed to be feeling step by step,” Locke said via the Sentinel. “But I feel a lot better.”"
Locke signed a one-year, $3 million deal with Miami in the offseason and was expected to compete for the number-five spot in the rotation or a long-relief role.
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Edinson Volquez was named the Opening Day starter for the Marlins, and he’ll likely be followed by Dan Straily, Tom Koehler and Wei-Yin Chen in the rotation. The number-five spot in the rotation still looks to be up for grabs, as none of Jose Urena, Adam Conley or Justin Nicolino have stood out in spring training.