Capps to get second opinion on elbow sprain
MIAMI -- Carter Capps' sprained right elbow will get a second look before the Marlins have a clearer picture about his long-term prognosis.
"He's headed in for a second opinion," manager Mike Redmond said. "He's going to be down resting."
An MRI exam taken Monday revealed a sprain. The Marlins have said Capps will be shut down from throwing for four weeks. At this point, the club is hopeful the reliever will avoid surgery. More will be known after Capps gets the second opinion.
Capps informed the team he had discomfort in his throwing arm after he threw one inning in the series finale with the Brewers on Sunday at Marlins Park.
He gave up one run, two hits and a walk and notched a strikeout in the inning. The Marlins placed Capps on the disabled list two days later.
Capps opened the season at Triple-A New Orleans, and he was called up on April 23. In nine appearances with Miami, Capps struck out 15 batters and walked three while compiling a 3.00 ERA. He was settling into more of a late-inning role. Now, the club is searching for replacements to step up.
While Capps will be out for a substantial period of time, there's some encouraging injury news regarding second baseman Rafael Furcal, who has yet to play for the team this season.
A few hours north of Marlins Park, Furcal was set to continue his rehab assignment for the Class A Jupiter Hammerheads on Friday. The 36-year-old went 0-for-3 on Thursday. It was his first game back since straining his right groin during a different rehab assignment in late April. He played seven innings on Thursday as he builds back up into game shape.
Furcal opened the season on the DL with a left hamstring strain.
"I think it's kind of a build-up, a progression. You gotta ease him into playing nine innings," Redmond said. "From what I've heard, everything's going as scheduled. Keep working him, keep getting him out there and see how he progresses."
Furcal missed all of 2013 due to Tommy John surgery. He hasn't experienced any elbow issues this year.