Turner to come off DL, rejoin rotation Saturday

MIAMI -- The beard has been shaved off, and a clean-shaven Jacob Turner is ready to get back into the rotation.

The Marlins also are eager for the 22-year-old right-hander to return, and he will do so on Saturday night.

Miami manager Mike Redmond on Tuesday announced that Turner is set to be reinstated from the disabled list, and start in the second game of the three-game series this weekend against the Dodgers at Marlins Park.

The rotation for Los Angeles shapes up with Tom Koehler going on Friday night, Turner on Saturday and Jose Fernandez on Sunday.

"[Turner] said he shaved off his DL beard, and he was ready to go," Redmond said.

Entering the season, Turner was Miami's No. 4 starter, but he has been on the disabled list since April 9, retroactive to April 4, with a right shoulder sprain.

It was a fluke injury.

On April 7, the day before he was set to pitch at Washington, he took batting practice in the cages with the pitchers. During one round, he felt discomfort in the back of his throwing shoulder after taking a swing.

When Turner went on the disabled list, Brad Hand and Kevin Slowey each made two starts to fill the rotation spot.

"The rotation, overall, has been throwing well," Redmond said. "I think we scrambled there initially when we had some spot starts, and trying to find guys to fill that role while Jacob was gone.

"I think overall guys have stepped up, and hopefully, settled in. That's the biggest part, not only our starters but our bullpen. I saw glimpses of that over the weekend."

Turner made two rehab assignment starts at Class A Jupiter. On Monday night, he was dominant in seven innings, allowing one run while striking out seven.

"I felt good," Turner said. "The ball was coming out fine. Most importantly, I was able to get up and down seven times. That's probably the most important thing I was able to take away from it.

"I feel like I'm ready to compete."

The Marlins have a young, but gifted rotation. Turner won't turn 23 until May 21. The ace of the staff is Fernandez, who is 21.

"Our starters are going to be the key to our success," Redmond said. "Going out there, eating up innings, giving us a chance to win ballgames. At the same time, too, they're young. It's a young rotation, no doubt. There are going to be some ups and downs with those guys, but in the process, this experience is invaluable to them."