Miami Marlins Round Table Discussion (Part 1): When Will Jose Fernandez Return?

May 20, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) fields questions from reporters prior to a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to another Miami Marlins Round Table Discussion. On today’s agenda, we’ll be previewing the season for the Miami Marlins, which is set begin today on Opening Day 2015. This is part 1 of a 3 part segment. 

1. When will Jose Fernandez return? What are your expectations for him?

Ehsan Kassim: Wait, he’s not pitching today? Damn April Fools Jokes. I agree with Dillon, Jose should be back at the beginning of June, as he’s progressed really well so far. When he comes back he’ll probably be around 75-80% of the pitcher he was before for the first month or so. Which is still better than most other starters in the league.

Travis Honeycutt: Fernandez will be back July 1 and make the start that night against the Giants. He will subsequently no-hit those Giants, and hit a home run that he will pimp as he trots the bases. This display of one-upsmanship will tick off Giants third baseman Casey McGehee, who will charge in from 3rd base and get clotheslined by Jeff Mathis, sparking a hilarious brawl.

Daniel Zylberkan: I expect him to return sometime in the first couple of weeks of July. It’ll probably take sometime to get the rust off and I think that his control especially on the curveball will suffer a bit. But I still expect him to be the best pitcher in the rotation after rejoining it.

Miller Lepree: I see Jose making his first start after the all star break, and being pretty lights out during the stretch run. From what we’ve seen of Jose in his brief career, there is zero reason to believe he won’t cruise through rehab and pitch like a man on a mission. I’m going out on a limb and projecting 150 strikeouts in 15 starts for Jose.

David Polakoff: Jose will return to make one or two starts before the All-Star Break. 

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Dillon Murrell: Jose will be back by June 1st. His rehab has gone very well so far so I don’t think he’s going to have too many problems getting up to speed. It’s hard to say he’s going to be full throttle right away, and he probably shouldn’t be, but I don’t really see Jose wanting to take it easy. He’ll need a few starts under his belt to going, but even a not-as-good Jose Fernandez is better than most of the league.

Michael Sonbeek: I expect an early June return for Jose Fernandez, so I’ll say he’ll be back the first week of June. I obviously don’t expect him to be back to his old self right away, but I do expect the best or 2nd best numbers from June on.

Next: Ozuna or Yelich?