Rehabbing Turner throws off mound
MIAMI -- Jacob Turner is moving closer to game action.
The Marlins right-hander, on the disabled list with a right shoulder sprain, threw roughly 45 pitches off the mound on Friday afternoon at Marlins Park. Next up is another bullpen session on Sunday, the last day of Miami's homestand.
If that goes smoothly, Turner will head to the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter, Fla., early next week. The Marlins will be going on the road to Atlanta while Turner moves closer to a return from the DL.
"If everything goes well, he will go up to Jupiter," manager Mike Redmond said. "He will go to Jupiter while we're on the road and pitch."
No firm date is set, but Turner could begin a rehab assignment perhaps sometime next week.
In the meantime, Kevin Slowey is filling Turner's rotation spot, and the veteran will pitch in the series finale against the Mariners on Sunday.
Also on the injury front, Rafael Furcal is scheduled to continue his rehab assignment with the Hammerheads. The second baseman, on the DL with a strained left hamstring, was given Thursday off after he had played several games in a row.
Early next week, Furcal is expected to continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Jacksonville. The Marlins anticipate he will take close to the full 20 days allowed for a rehab assignment.
Once the second baseman gets to playing nine innings over successive games, that will be an indicator that he is close to being reinstated.