Eovaldi could be back by Wednesday

NEW YORK -- A power arm could be back for the Marlins, perhaps as early as Wednesday at Philadelphia.

Nathan Eovaldi, dealing with a tight back, played catch without any discomfort on Saturday afternoon. The plan is to get him on the mound to throw a bullpen session on Sunday at Citi Field.

Barring any setbacks, Eovaldi may be ready to return to game action in the series finale against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

"Eovaldi came in much better," manager Mike Redmond said. "He is getting better each day."

The hard-throwing Eovaldi was lined up to pitch at home against the Braves on Thursday, but he tweaked his back the day before, and Brian Flynn made the start in his place.

With a better indication of what to do with Eovaldi, the Marlins have set their rotation for the first two games of their upcoming series at Philadelphia.

Sam Dyson, who has made three relief appearances since being promoted from Triple-A New Orleans, will make his first career MLB start on Monday against the Phillies.

Flynn will take the mound on Tuesday.

Tentatively, Eovaldi could be ready by Wednesday. If not, the team will again adjust.

Brad Hand, who suffered a tough, 4-3, loss on Friday night to the Mets, is expected to get a start sometime next week.

Hand worked 5 2/3 innings and threw well, but he was victimized by a two-out, three-run homer by Lucas Duda in the sixth inning.

"I thought [Hand] did a great job," Redmond said. "One pitch, and [Duda] hit a home run off him. But I like the stuff."

The Marlins don't plan on going with six starters, but they are keeping their options open.

"We're still kind of waiting on Eovaldi to make sure everything is all right with him," Redmond said. "We'll adjust accordingly to how he feels."