MIAMI -- The Marlins received good news Saturday from Dan Straily, who reported to Marlins Park feeling "great" following his first rehab start in his journey to return to the starting rotation after being placed on the disabled list with right forearm inflammation to start the season.
Straily threw 60 pitches for Class A Advanced Jupiter on Friday night in a Florida State League game in Daytona Beach. He had a short bullpen session Saturday prior to the Marlins' game against the Pirates and reported no ill effects from his first rehab start.
"Walked away healthy, feeling great," the 29-year-old right-hander said. "It felt a little weird. I mean, I haven't faced hitters in 3 1/2 weeks. That was the whole point of the assignment."
Straily, who was slated to be the Marlins' No. 2 starter in Spring Training, gave up seven runs on five hits, including two home runs, in 2 2/3 innings Friday, but nonetheless was happy with the effort.
"Obviously, you don't ever want to give up runs, at any level -- your pride takes over; but at the same time, mission accomplished," said Straily, who had built up to 80 pitches before experiencing discomfort in his forearm. "I threw 60 pitches and that was the main goal, to get the pitch count going."
Straily said he threw mostly fastballs and changeups against Daytona. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said that the pitch count was more important than the pitching line at this point.
"He got up to the count we wanted to," Mattingly said. "He felt good today. That's what we were a little worried about, is the next day. Obviously, we want guys to have success, but most of the time they're working on something, they're feeling their way through. We'll see where he's at [after the next rehab start]. We got him through one, and then the next day, so we'll get through the next one hopefully the same way, and then we'll assess."
The club said that Straily's next rehab start is scheduled for Wednesday.
Noteworthy
Catcher J.T. Realmuto, on the DL since March 26 because of a lower back contusion, was scheduled to start a rehab assignment with Jupiter on Saturday.