MIAMI -- With a sense of urgency, Adam Conley returned to the mound for the Marlins on Tuesday night, and the left-hander showed glimpses of what the organization hopes he still will become.
Conley took a no-decision after allowing two runs over six innings in the Marlins' 5-2 loss to the Phillies at Marlins Park.
The 27-year-old opened the season as the Marlins' fifth starter, but he was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on May 9, a day after he allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings to the Cardinals.
Piecing together the rotation has been a challenge for the Marlins, but the hope is Conley can capitalize on his second opportunity.
"I thought he was competitive," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "He worked quickly. The body language was aggressive. It's really what you ask. If you're in a situation where you've fallen back in the race, you want your guys to be competitive. We saw that out of Adam tonight."
Conley remains a work in progress, reflected by his 2-3 record and 6.75 ERA in 34 2/3 innings over eight games (seven starts).
"I think it's a step in the right direction," the lefty said. "The way this year started, it's basically been a season of trying to make one [good start] at a time."
Conley showed good velocity, topping out at 93.4 mph, according to Statcast™. He threw 92 pitches (62 strikes), and he induced seven swinging strikes.
"I love the direction I'm headed," Conley said. "I still have a lot of work to do."
At New Orleans, Conley noted he was working to "undo" some of the bad habits he developed in Spring Training and during the first month of the season.
"I think looking back at it, it's really me trying to undo what I'd been training to do for a few months when I was in a funk," Conley said.
Conley's night didn't start off as smoothly as he would have liked. His first pitch was a 91-mph fastball that skipped past catcher J.T. Realmuto and went to the backstop.
Considering all he has been through already, Conley couldn't help but laugh at himself for the wild throw.
"It's funny," Conley said. "I thought in the back of my head, 'What if I throw this halfway up the backstop?' What I did wasn't too far off that. I don't look much into it. I kind of laughed at it myself."
Conley quickly settled down and remained in control, exiting after six innings with the score tied at 2.
"I think the urgency to go do my job was pretty much there all night," Conley said.